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LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON. 



THE 



LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE ; 



CONTAINING HIS HISTOET OF 25 YEARS IN BONDAGE, AND 
HIS PEOVIDENTIAL ESCAPE. 



WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 




WORCE STE R: 
PUBLISHED BY JOHN THOMPSON, 

•I MDCCCLVr. 






Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1866, 

BY JOHN THOMPSON, 
in the Clerk's office ot the District Court of MasBachusetts, 



WORCESTER : 

PRINTED BY C. HAMILTO N, 

PALLADIUM OFFICE. 



^7 



PREFACE. 



It would be an unprecedented act to send into the 
world a work of the magnitude of this volume, without 
a preface ; and I am glad to avail myself of the oppor- 
tunity, which custom not only allows but prescribes, to 
say something of the work before you. Its history is as 
follows : It was suggested to me about two years since, 
after relating to many the main facts relative to my 
bondage and escape to the land of freedom, that it would 
be a desirable thing to put these facts into permanent 
form. I first sought to discover what had been said by 
other partners in bondage once, but in freedom now, and 
from what States they came. I found many of my 
brethren from other and remote States, had written on 
the subject, but scarcely any from Maryland. I am 
aware that now, when public opinion makes it no mar- 
tyrdom to denounce slavery, there are multitudes of men 



VI. PREFACE. 

that grow bold, and wield a powerful weapon against this 
great evil ; and even school boys daringly denounce a 
system, the enormity of which they cannot appreciate, 
surely I thought it may be permitted to one who has 
worn the galling yoke of bondage, to say something of 
its pains, and something of that freedom which, if he 
should not succeed in accurately defining, he can truly 
say he will ever admire and love. 

JOHN THOMPSON. 
Worcester, Mass., May, 1856. 



Life of John Thouipsoiij a Fugitive Slave. 



CHAP. I. 



I WAS born in Maryland, in 1812, and was slave to a 
Mrs. "VYagar. She had four sons and two daughters. 
The sons were all farmers, owning large tracts of land ; 
which were well stocked with slaves, and other animal 
property ! 

When her youngest son, James H., y^as about forty or 
forty-five years of age, he owned the plantation upon 
which he and his mother lived, and on which I was born. 
On this plantation were about two hundred slaves, young 
and old ; of which fifty belonged to him, and the remain- 
der to his mother ; but all were in his charge. 

Mr. J. H. W. had two children, John and Elizabeth. 
His wife died before I could remember, leaving the chil- 
dren under the supervision of the Grandmother. Eliza- 
beth was about thirteen, and John ten years of age. 

My parents had seven children, five sons and "two 
daughters. My father and mother were field hands. My 
younger sister was house girl and ladies' maid, while the 
elder was given to one of the sons. The rest of us were 
too small to work, the eldest being only eleven years old. 

The first act of slavery which I recorded in my mem- 

2 



14 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

cry, "was the sale of my elder sister, who belonged to 
Henry Wagar, brother to J. H., and who lived three 
miles from our plantation. My mother heard of the sale, 
which was on Saturday, and on Sunday took us with her 
to see our beloved sister, who was then in the yard with 
the trader's drove, px^eparatory to being removed far 
south, on the Monday following. After travelling six 
miles, we arrived at our place of destination. Mother, 
approaching the door of the trader's house, fell upon her 
knees, in tears begging to be permitted to see her impris- 
oned daughter, who was soon to be dragged away from 
her embrace, probably to be seen no more in the flesh. 
It was not his custom to admit slaves into his yard to see 
their friends ; but at this time, his heart seemed to be 
moved with compassion, for he opened the door, telling 
us to 2:0 in, Avhich we did. 

CD ' 

Here, the first thing that saluted my ears, was the rat- 
tling of the chains upon the limbs of the poor victims. 
It seemed to me to be a hell upon earth, emblematical of 
that dreadful dungeon where the wicked are kept, until 
the day of God's retribution, and where their torment 
ascends up forever and ever. 

As soon as my sister saw our mother, she ran to her 
and fell upon her neck, but was unable to speak a word. 
There was a scene which angels witnessed ; there were 
tears which, I believe, were bottled and placed in God's 
depository, there to be reserved until the day when He 
shall pour His wrath upon this guilty nation. 

The trader, becoming uneasy at this exciting scene, 
and fearing the rest of the drove would become dissatis- 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 15 

fiecl with their situations, permitted sister to leave the 
yard for a few moments, to keep mother's company. He 
did not watch her, as I thought he would have done, hut 
permitted her to go about with mother, and even to ac- 
company us part of our way towards home. He ordered 
dinner for us, but not one of us could eat one mouthful. 
I thought my heart would break, as the time drew near 
for our departure. I dreaded the time when I should 
bid farewell to my beloved sister, never more to see her 
face, never more to meet her in the paternal circle, never 
more to hear her fervent prayer to the throne of God. 

I watched the sun, as it seemed to descend behind the 
western hills ; but this did not stop its progress. The 
time soon arrived when we must go. When mother was 
about to bid farewell to my sister, and reached out her 
hand to grasp hers, she burst into a flood of tears, ex- 
claiming aloud. " Lord, have mercy upon me ! '^ 

The trader, seeing such parental affection, as he stood 
by, hung down his head and wiped the tears from his 
eyes ; and to relieve himself from a scene so affecting, he 
said, " jStary, you can go some way with your mother, and 
return soon.'' 

Turning to mother, he said, " old woman, I will do the 
best I can for your daughter ; I will sell her to a good 
master." 

We then left the house. After going with us two 
miles, sister Mary, in obedience to orders and her prom- 
ise, could go no farther, and she said, " Mother, I suppose 
I must go back." 

Here another heart-rending scene took place. I well 



16 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

remember her parting words, " Mother,'^ she said, " don't 
grieve, for though we are separated in body, our separa- 
tion is only for a season, and if w^e are faithful we shall 
meet again where partings are no more. Mother, will 
you try to meet me 'V^ 

We all promised to do so. We then parted, and have 
never heard directly from her since. She was, as we af- 
terwards understood, taken to Alabama, and sold at pub- 
lic auction. But, if I am faithful, I shall see her again. 

Hark and hear the captive pleading, 

Listen to her plaintive cry, 
While in floods her tears are falling; 

Must I, in my bondage die? 
When I dwelt in my own country, 

With my children by my side, 
Cruel Avhite men coming on me, 

Dragg'd me o'er the deep so wide. 
Oft I think of my sweet children, 

And my dear companion too ; 
If on earth I no more see them, 

And have bid a last adieu, 
I must try to live so faithful 

To that God who rules above, 
That I may obtain His favor, 

And may dwell with Him in love. 
I must wait until that moment, 

When the trump of God shall sound ; 
Calling nations all together. 

Then to hear their final doom I 
There I'll see my dear companion, 

Whom long since I bade adieu ; 
There I'll see my smiling children, 
^ And my blessed Jesus, too ! 

Then let cares, like a wild deluge, 

Roll across this mortal frame ; 
Death will soon burst off my fetters, 

Soon 'tAvill break the tyrant's chain ; 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. • 17 

Then I'll pass from grace to glory, 

Then I'll sing my suffering o'er ; 
For then grief, and pain, and sorrow, 

Shall be felt and known no more. 



CHAP. II. 

All the slaves, both men and women, except those 
about the house, were forced to work in the field. We 
raised corn, wheat and tobacco. 

The provision for each slave, per week, was a peck of 
corn, two dozens of herrings, and about four pounds of 
meat. The children, under eight years of age, were not 
allowed anything. The women were allowed four weeks 
of leisure at child birth ; after which, they were compel- 
led to leave their infants to provide for themselves, and to 
the mercy of Providence, while they were again forced to 
labor in the field, sometimes a mile from the house. 

Often the older children had to take care of the young- 
er, sometimes the mother, until her babe was about three 
or four months old, if she had a kind and humane over- 
seer, could come to the house once between meals, and 
nurse her child ; but such favors were but seldom grant- 
ed. More frequently the mother must take her child 
with her to the field, place it at the side where she could 
see it as she came to the end of the row ; moving it along 
as she moved from row to row. 

The slaves were called out from their quarters at day- 
light. The breakfast must be prepared and eaten before 



18 

going to work, and if not done before the overseer called 
them to the field, they must go without it ; and often the 
children, being asleep at this time, were of course obliged 
to go without their breakfast. 

The slaves' clothing was, in winter, one shirt, pants 
and jacket, without lining, shoes and stockings. In sum- 
mer, one shirt and one pair of pants of coarse linen. 

When the tobacco is ripe, or nearly so, there are fre- 
quently worms in it, about two inches long, and as large 
as one's thumb. They have horns, and are called tobac- 
co worms. They are very destructive to the tobacco 
crops, and must be carefully picked off by the hands, so 
as not to break the leaves, which are very easily broken. 
But careful as the slaves may be, they cannot well avoid 
leaving some of these worms on the plants. It was a 
custom of Mr. Wagar to follow after the slaves, to see if 
he could find any left, and if so, to compel the person in 
whose row they were found, to eat them. This was done 
to render them more careful. It may seem incredible to 
my readers, but it is a fact. 

/My mistress and her family were all Episcopalians. 
The nearest church was five miles from our plantation, 
and there was no Methodist church nearer than ten miles. 
So we went to the Episcopal church, but always came 
home as we went, for the preaching was above our com- 
prehension, so that we could understand but little that 
■was said. But soon the Methodist religion was brought 
among us, and preached in a manner so plain that the 
way-faring man, though a fool, could not err therein. 
This new doctrine produced great consternation among 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 19 

the slaveholders. It was something which they could not 
understand. It brought glad tidings to the poor bond- 
man ; it bound up the broken-hearted ; it opened the 
prison doors to them that ^ere bound, and let the captive 
go free. 

<CAs soon as it got among the slaves, it spread from 
plantation to plantation, until it reached ours, where there 
were but few who did not experience religion. The slave- 
holders, becoming much alarmed at this strange phenom- 
enon, called a meeting, at which they appointed men to 
patrol the country, and break up these religious assem- 
blies. This was done, and many a poor victim had his 
back severely cut, for simply going to a prayer meeting. 
At length, Mr. Wagar bought at auction a man named 
Martin, who was a fiddler. As slaves are very fond of 
dancing, our master thought that fiddling would bring 
them back to their former ignorant condition, and bought 
this man for that purpose. It had the desired effect upon 
most of them, and what the whip failed to accomplish, 
the fiddle completed, for it is no easy matter to drive a 
soul from God by cruelty, when it may easily be drawn 
away by worldly pleasures ; and fiddling I think is bet- 
ter appropriated to this purpose, than anything else I 
could mention. 



CHAP. IIL 

Mr. W. was a very cruel slave driver. He would 
whip unreasonably and without cause. He was often 



20 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

t 

from home, and not unfrequentlj three or four weeks at 
a time, leaving the -plantation, at such times, in care of 
the overseer. When he returned, he sometimes ordered 
all the slaves to assemble at the house, when he would 
whip them all round ; a little whipping being, as he 
thought, necessary, in order to secure the humble sub- 
mission of the slaves. 

Sometimes he forced one slave to flog another, the hus- 
band his wife ; the mother her daughter ; or the father 
his son. This practice seemed very amusing to himself 
and his children, especially to his son, John, who failed 
not to walk in his father's footsteps, by carrying into ef- 
fect the same principle, until he became characteristically 
a tyrant. 

When at home from school, he would frequently re- 
quest his grandmother's permission, to call all the black 
children from their quarters to the house, to sweep and 
clear the yard from weeds, &c., in order that he might 
oversee them. Then, whip in hand, he walked about 
among them, and sometimes lashed the poor little crea- 
tures, who had on nothing but a shirt, and often nothing 
at all, until the blood streamed down their backs and 
limbs, apparently for no reason whatever, except to grat- 
ify his own cruel fancy. 

This was pleasing to his father and grandmother, who, 
accordingly, considered him a very smart boy indeed! 
Often, my mother, after being in the field all day, upon 
returning at night, would find her little children's backs 
mangled'by the lash of John Wagar, or his grandmother ; 
for if any child dared to resist the boy, she would order 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 21 

the cook to lash it with a cowhide, kept for that purpose. 

I well remember the tears of my poor mother, as they 
fell upon my back, while she was bathing and dressing 
my wounds. But there was no redress for her grievance, 
she had no appeal foj justice, save to high heaven ; for if 
she complained, her own back would be cut in a similar 
manner. 

Sometimes she wept and sobbed all night, but her tears 
must be dried and her sobs hushed, ere the overseer's 
horn sounded, which it did at early dawn, lest they should 
betray her. And she, unrefreshed, must shake off her 
dull slumbers, and repair, at break of day, to the field, 
leaving her little ones to a similar, or perhaps, worse fate 
on the coming day', and dreading a renewal of her own 
sorrows the coming evening. Great Grod, what a succes- 
sion of crimes ! Is there no balm in Gilead ; is there no 
physician there, that thy people can be healed ? 

Martin, the fiddler, was bought for a term of ten years, 
after which he was to be freed. He was a good hand, 
was called a faithful, humble servant, and was much 
liked by all who knew him. His term was now expired, 
according to the bill of sale. Of this he was fully sen- 
sible, but his administrator being at the distance of sev- 
enty-five miles from him, Martin had no means of seeing 
him, nor of informing him that he was still held in bond- 
age, beyond the time of contract. 

Therefore, feeling himself at liberty, he consequently 
began to manifest some signs of his freedom ; for, when 
the overseer would drive him as usual, he wanted him to 
understand that what he now did was optional with him- 



22 LIFE OP JOHN THOMPSON, 

self, since he was now a free man, and had been such for 
eighteen months. 

The overseer took this as an insult, but would not cor- 
rect him himself, for he feared the action of Martin's 
administrator. Accordingly he complained to Mr. W., 
upon his return from a jcurnej, upon which he had been 
absent. Martin was immediately called up, together with 
all the slaves, that they might witness the punishment 
to which he was subjected, in order that it might prove a 
warning to any one who might fancy himself free. 

None knew at the time why they were called ; they 
only knew that some one, and perhaps all, were to be 
whipped. And immediately each one began to inquire 
within himself, is it I ? They began to consider if they 
had done anything worthy of punishment. Their doubts 
and fears were, however, soon ended by the lot falling on 
Martin, who was ordered to cross his hands. This was 
in the barn yard. He, having had his coarse shirt 
removed, and his pants fastened about his hips, was 
swung up to a beam by his hands, in the open shed, when 
the overseer was ordered to lash him with a cowhide. 
Every stroke laid open the flesh upon his back, and caus- 
ed the blood to flow. His shrieks and piteous cries of 
" Lord, have mercy on me !" were heard at distant planta- 
tions. But they were of no avail ; there was no mercy in 
the iron heart of his tormentor. It seemed as if death 
alone could terminate his sufferings. But at length God 
heard his cry, and sent deliverance. By a weak and un- 
expected means, He confounded the mighty. 

John, who at this time was about fifteen years of age, 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 23 

was out gunning, at a distance from the house. He heard 
the piercing shrieks of the victim, and hastened to the 
spot, where the frightful scene was being enacted. 

" What is the overseer whipping Martin for,^' he in- 
quired of his father. 

His father answered the question only bj bidding him 
go to the house. Instead of obeying, Jobn cocked his 
gun, exclaiming " by God, 1^11 kill that overseer !" at the 
same time pointing the weapon at the overseer, and bid- 
ding his father to stand out of his way. 

The overseer, becoming frightened, ran to Mr. Wagar 
for safety, well knowing that John would execute his 
threat, and that separated from Mr. W. there was no 
safety for him. 

" Put up that gun, John/^ said his father, 

" No I won't,'-' replied John, " stand away, stand away, 
ril kill that d~d overseer I" 

The father was afraid to go towards his own son, lest 
in the frenzy of exasperation, he should murder him. 
So the overseer, conducted by Mr. W., for safety, left the 
farm for two days, until John's ' anger was appeased. 
Martin was then cut down by John, but was not able to 
work for several days. 

About four or five months after this occurrence, his 
administrator arrived at the plantation. He seemed 
much surprised that Martin had been held so long over 
his time, and said that Mr. W. should pay him for it. 
He said nothing of the unjust punishment Martin had 
received, and whether there was ever any redress for it, 
I never knew. Martin left this plantation for a better one. 



24 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

This was the only good act of John Wagar, of which 
I ever knew. Ever afterwards he was fully equal to his 
father in cruelty. Not many years afterwards, he whip- 
ped a slave woman to death, for taking a glass of rum 
out of his jug, which he thought he had -lost. 

This woman's husband generally kept liquor in- his 
house, where some was found, when search was made in 
the slave's quarters for the lost rum. She said that her 
husband had bought it, but her assertion was not credit- 
ed. Her husband belonged to a Mr. Morton, about five 
miles distant, and came on Saturdays to see his wife. 
The woman's name was Minta ; she was the mother of 
six children. She was whipped to make her confess she 
w^as guilty, when she was not ; and she finally confessed. 
He whipped her one half hour, to force a confession; 
after which he whipped another half hour for a crime 
which she never committed. This caused her death, 
which occurred three days after. 

This was about the commencement of John's adminis- 
tration, for after he had finished his education and return- 
ed home, his father gave up the management of the plan- 
tation to him. 

While young and attending school, his uncle gave him 
a beautiful little pony, saddle and bridle. Then this 
young gentleman must have a private body servant for 
himself, and he claimed the honor of making choice of 
one for himself, from among the slave children. Accord- 
ingly he made choice of myself. 

Then my business was to wait upon him, attend to his 
horse, and go with him to and from school ; for neglect 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 25 

of which, as he fancied, I often got severe floggings from 
him. Still, I did not wish mj situation changed, for I 
considered my station a very high one ; preferring an oc- 
casional licking, to being thrown out of office. 

Being a gentleman's body servant, I had nothing more 
to do with plantation affairs, and, consequently, thought 
myself much superior to those children who had to sweep 
the yard. I was about twelve years old when given to 
John Wagar. 



CHAP. ly. 



Fiddling and dancing being done away with among 
the slaves, by the disappearance of Martin's fiddle, Chris- 
tianity seemed to gain ground, and a glorious revival of 
religion sprang up, which required another legal pro- 
vision to suppress. This was the new provision : that 
the patrolers should search the slave quarters, on every 
plantation, from whence, if they found any slaves absent 
after night fall, they should receive, when found, thirty- 
nine lashes upon the naked back. When the slaves were 
caught, if a constable were present, he could administer 
the punishment immediately. If no constable were pres- 
ent, then the truant slave must be taken before a justice 
of the peace, where he must receive not less than five, 
nor more than thirty-nine lashes, unless he could show a 
pass, either from his master or his overseer. Many were 

S 



26 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

thus Tvhipped, both going to and returning from night 
meetings ; or, worse still, often taken from their knees 
while at prayer, and cruelly whipped. 

But this did not stop the progress of God's mighty 
work, for he had laid the foundation for the building, and 
his workmen determined to carry on the work until the 
capstone was laid. 

Many slaves were sold farther south, for going to meet- 
ings. They would sometimes travel four or five miles, 
attend meeting and return in time for the overseer's horn. 

Mr. Wagar had a valuable slave named Aaron, a car- 
penter by trade, and an excellent workman ; a man of 
true piety and great physical strength. He never sub- 
mitted to be flogged, unless compelled by superior force ; 
and although he was often whipped, still it did not con- 
quer his will, nor lessen his bravery ; so that, whenever 
his master attempted to whip him, it was never without 
the assistance of, at least, five or six men. Such men 
there were who were always ready to lend their aid in 
such emergencies. Aaron was too valuable to shoot, and 
his master did not wish to sell him ; but at last, growing 
tired of calling on help to whip a slave, and knowing that 
neglecting to do this would appear like a submission to 
the negro, which in time might prove dangerous, since 
other slaves, becoming unruly, might resist him, until he 
could not flog any of them without help. He finally 
concluded to sell Aaron, much as he disliked it. 

The slave was at work at the time, sawing heavy tim- 
ber, to build a barn. The manner of sawing such tim- 
ber, at the South, is by what they call a whip saw. A 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE, 27 

scaffold, about ten feet high, being erected, the logs to be 
sawed are placed thereon, when one man is placed above, 
and another below, who alternately pull and push the 
saw, thus forcing it through the logs. 

Aaron was busy at this kind of work, when he observ- 
ed several strange visitors approaching him, whose busi- 
ness he did not at first suspect. He was requested to 
come down from the scaffold, as one of the gentlemen 
wished to talk with him about building a barn. He at 
once refused to comply with the request, for having seen 
the same trader before, he soon surmised his business, 
and supposed that he, himself, was sold. 

At this refusal, they commenced pelting him with 
stcnes, chips, or whatever else they could find to throw 
at him, until they finally forced him down. He sprang 
from the scaffold, axe in hand, and commenced trying to 
cut his way through them ; but, being defeated, he was 
knocked down, put in irons, taken to the drove yard, and 
beaten severely, but not until he had badly wounded two 
of his captors. 

His wife, being at the house spinning wool, did not 
hear of this until night. In the anguish of her heart, 
she ran, weeping bitterly, from one plantation to another, 
'in search of some kind slaveholder who would buy her 
husband. But, alas, she could find none. 

Aaron was kept confined in the jail yard two weeks, 
during every day of which he was whipped. Finally he 
broke jail and made his escape. The trader came early 
next morning to his jail, but Aaron was not there. At 
that time the slaves knew little of the friendly guidance 



28 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

of the nortli star, and therefore lingered about in swamps 
and among bushes, where they were fed by their fellow 
servants during the night, instead of fleeing to the north. 

In this way Aaron remained concealed nearly one year, 
after which his wife got a man to purchase him, a run- 
nino-. Then Uncle Aaron came home to his new master, 
where he was when I left the South. 

Matters continued in about the same course until the 
year 1822, Avhen a change took place on our planta- 
tion, caused by the death of old Mistress, which event 
happened in October of that year. Now her slaves must 
be divided among her children and grand children. Now 
we must pass into other hands, some for better, some for 
worse. 

The estate was divided the same month in which old 
Mistress died. The slaves were also divided, and each 
one was to go. to his new home on the first of January, 
1823. My father's family fell to Mr. George Thomas, 
who was a cruel man, and all the slaves feared much that 
they should fall to him. He was a very bad man. He 
.fed his slaves well, but drove and whipped them most 
unmercifully, and not unfrequently selling them. 

The time drew near for our departure, and sorrowful 
it was. Every heart was sad ; every countenance down- 
cast. Parents looking upon their darling children 
would say, " is it possible that I must soon bid them 
adieu, possibly forever I" Some rejoiced in hope of a 
better situation, while others mourned, fearing a worse 
one. Christmas came, but without bringing the usual 
gladness and joy. We met together in prayer meeting, 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 29 

and petitioned for heavenly strength to sustain our feeble 
frames. These were continued during holiday week, 
from Christmas to New Year's day, when slaves are not 
to be molested ; consequently, no patrolers annoyed us. 

New Year's, that sorrowful day for us, at length arriv- 
ed. Each one weeping while they went round, taking 
leave of parents or children, for some children and pa- 
rents were separated, as were also husbands and wives. 
Our meetings were now broken up, and our separation 
accomplished. 



CHAP. V. 

I WAS about fourteen years of age when the change 
mentioned in the last chapter, occurred. John Wagar 
claimed me by promise, as he said my grandmother gave 
me to him ; and, consequently, bade me keep out of sight, 
when they came for my father's family. This I did by 
hiding myself until the rest were all gone. I did this 
willingly, as I did not want to go to Mr. Thomas. In- 
deed, I had rather forego the pleasure of being with my 
parents than live with him. So I remained behind. 

I had lived securely upon the old plantation about 
three months, when one day I was sent on an errand, two 
or three miles from home. There I met Mr. Thomas, 
who said to me, " where are you going ?" I answered his 
question, when he said, " You belong to me ; come, go home 



30 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

•with me." I told him I wished to return with my er- 
rand, but he said " No ; go right home to my house, 
where your father and mother are. Don't you want to 
see your mother?" I replied. that I did, for I was afraid 
to answer any other way. 

This Mr. George Thomas had married my old Mis- 
tress's daughter, and we fell to him in right of his wife. 
I went home with him with a heavy heart. 

When John Wagar heard of this event, he said I be- 
longed to him and should come back ; but he could not 
accomplish his purpose in this, for being left to Mrs. 
Thomas, he could not hold me. He then tried to buy 
me, but my new master would not sell me, to him. 

Soon after my arrival in the family, Mr. Thomas 'let 
me to one of his sons, named Henry, who was a doctor, 
to attend his horse. This son was unmarried, lived a 
T^achelor, and kept a cook and waiter. The cook belong- 
ed neither to him nor his father, but was hired. She 
was a good looking mulatto, and was married to a right 
smart, intelligent man, who belonged to the doctor's un- 
cle. One night, coming home in haste, and wishing to 
see his wife, he sent me up stairs to request her to come 
down. Upon going up, I found she was in a room with 
tlie doctor, the door of which was fast. This I thought- 
lessly told her husband, who, upon her coming down a 
moment after, upbraided her for it. She denied it, and 
afterwards told the doctor, but not till I had gone to my 
mother, sick, up to the old man's plantation. 

The doctor was a very intemperate man. As soon as 
his cook told him her story, he came to his father with 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 31 

the complaint, tliat I had left him without his consent ; 
upon which his father told him to flog me. He ordered 
me out to the barn, when I was scarcely able to hold up 
my head, and had to be led by my brother. 

Without saying what he wanted of me, he stripped off 
my clothes and then whipped me, beating me over the 
head until I became senseless, and life was nearly extinct. 
I was carried to my mother^s quarters, where I lay five 
weeks, unable to move without assistance. When I final- 
ly recovered, I did not return to him, as he did not wish ^ 
it, but remained with my mother four years. 

My father was a very pious man, never complaining, but 
bearing every thing patiently, and praying for grace and 
fortitude to help him to overcome his trials, which he be- 
lieved would one day be ended. He was a good servant 
and an affectionate parent. But new trials and sorrows 
soon broke upon this quiet family. 

My sister, whose name I must not mention, as she is 
now in the North, and like myself, not out of danger, 
-was old Mistress's house maid. She possessed both 
grace and beauty, and to-day, thank God, is a living mon- 
ument in his temple. She was given to Mrs. Thomas as 
her maid, and was much prized, because a gift from her 
mother ; but especially because she knew her to be a vir- 
tuous girl. 

She had found it impossible to long keep a maid of 
this stamp, for none could escape the licentious passions 
of her husband, who was the father of about one-fourth 
of the slaves on his plantation, by his slave women. 
Mrs. Thomas strove every way to shield my sister from 



32 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

this monster, but he was determined to accomplish his 
brutal designs. 

One day during his wife's absence on a visit to her 
friends, being, as he thought, a good opportunity, he tried 
to force my sister to submit to his wishes. This she de- 
feated by a resistance so obstinate, that he, becoming en- 
raged, ordered two of his men to take her to the barn, 
where he generally whipped his slaves ; there to strip 
off her clothes and whip her, which was done, until the 
blood stood in puddles under her feet. 

Upon his wife's return, Mr. Thomas told her that my 
sister had been whipped for neglect of duty. Of this 
Mrs. Thomas did not complain, as she had no objection to 
necessary floggings. But similar scenes occuring quite 
often, our Mistress began to suspect that sister was not 
in fault, especially as in her presence she never neglect- 
ed *her business, and these complaints only came during 
her absence. Besides, she knew well her husband's form- 
er practices, and at last began to suspect that these and 
my sister's pretended faults, were in some way connect- 
ed. Accordingly, she began to question her maid con- 
cerning her oftences, who, fearing to tell her plainly, 
knowing it would be certain death to her, answered in 
low and trembling terms, " I must not tell you, but you 
may know what it is all for. If I have done anything. 
Madam, contrary to your wishes, and do not suit you, 
please sell me, but do not kill me without cause. Old 
Mistress, your mother, who is dead, and I trust in heav- 
en, took great pains to bring me up a virtuous girl, and 
I will die before I will depart from her dying counsel. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 33 

given, as you well know, while we were standing by her 
dying bed." 

These words so affected Mrs. Thomas, that she fainted 
and was carried to her bed, to which she was confined by 
sickness five or six weeks. Her husband's conduct still 
persisted in, finally caused her death, which occurred 
four years after. 

Mistress told sister that she had best get married, 
and that if she would, she would give her a wedding. 
Soon after, a very respectable young man, belonging to 
Mr. Bowman, a wealthy planter, and reputed to be a good 
master, began to court my sister. This very much pleas- 
ed Mistress, who wished to hasten the marriage. She 
determined that her maid should be married, not as slaves 
usually are, but that with the usual matrimonial ceremo- 
nies should be tied the knot to be broken only by death. 

The Sabbath was appointed for the marriage, which 
was to take place at the Episcopal Church. I must here 
state that no slave can be married lawfully, without a 
line from his or her owner. Mistress and all the family, 
except the old man, went to church to witness the mar- 
riage ceremony, which was to be performed by their min- 
ister, parson Reynolds. The master of Josiah, my sister's 
destined husband, was also at the wedding, for he thought 
a great deal of his man. 

Mistress returned delighted from the wedding, for she 
thought she had accomplished a great piece of work. 
But the whole affiiir only enraged her unfeeling husband, 
who, to be revenged upon the maid, proposed to sell her. 
To this his wife refused consent. Although Mrs. T. had 



34 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

never told him her suspicions, or what mj sister had said, 
yet he suspected the truth, and determined to be reveng- 
ed. Accordingly, during another absence of Mistress, 
he again cruelly whipped my sister. A continued repe- 
tition of these things finally killed our Mistress, who the 
doctor said, died of a broken heart. 

After the death of this friend, sister ran av>'ay, leav- 
ing behind her husband and one child, and finally found 
her way to the North. None of our family ever heard 
from her afterwards, until I accidentally met her in the 
streets in Philadelphia. My readers can imagine what a 
meeting ours must have been. She is again married and 
in pros peri ty. 



CHAR VI. 

My master, George Thomas, was a man of wealth, his 
farm consisting of about one thousand acres of land, well 
stocked with slaves. He was as inhuman as he was rich, 
and would whip when no p:.rticle of fauPb existed on the 
part of the slave. He would not employ an overseer 
who did not practice whipping one or more slaves at least 
once a day ; if not a man, then some weak or gray-head- 
ed woman. Any overseer who would not agree to these 
terms, could find no employment on Mr. Thomas's farm. 

The third year after our arrival upon his plantation, 
he hired an overseer from Virginia, who was a man after 
his own heart, and who commenced the w^ork of blood- 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 35 

shed soon after his arrival. He, however, soon met with 
his match. 

On the plantation was a slave named Ben, who was 
highly prized by Mr. T., being, as he thought, the best 
and most faithful servant on the farm. Ben was a reso- 
lute and brave man, and did not fear death. Such cour- 
age did not suit the overseer, who wanted each slave to 
temble with fear when he addressed him. Ben was too 
high-minded for such humiliation before any insignificant 
overseer. He had philosophically concluded that death 
is but death any way, and that one might as well die by 
hanging as whipping ; so he resolved not to submit to be- 
whipped by the overseer. 

One day in the month of November, when the slaves 
were in the field gathering corn, which Ben was carting 
to the barn, the overseer thought he did not drive his 
oxen fast enough. As soon then as Ben came within 
hearing of his voice, while returning from the barn, where 
he had just discharged his load, to the field, the overseer 
bellowed to him to drive faster. With this order Ben at- 
tempted to comply, by urging his beasts to their utmost 
speed. But all was of no avail. As soon as they met, 
the overseer struck Ben upon the head with the butt of 
his whip, felling him to the ground. But before he could 
repeat the blow, Ben sprang from the ground, seized his 
antagonist by the throat with one hand, while he felled 
him to the ground with the other ; then jumping upon 
his breast, he commenced choking and beating him at the 
same time, until he had nearly killed him. In fact he 
probably would have killed his enemy, had not two of 



3G LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

the slaves hastened to his rescue, which they with diffi- 
culty accomplished, so firm and determined was Ben's 
hold of him. For a while the discomfited man Avas sense- 
less, his face became of the blackness of his hat, while 
the blood streamed down his face. 

When he had recovered his senses, and was able to 
walk, he started for the house, to relate this sad circum- 
stance to Mr. Thomas. Ben loaded his cart and followed 
after. . No sooner had he entered the barn, than his mas- 
ter sprang forward to seize him ; but Ben eluded his 
grasp and fled to the woods, where he remained about 
three weeks, when he returned to his work. 

No allusion was made to the circumstance for about 
five weeks, and Ben supposed all was past and forgot- 
ten. At length a rainy time came on, during which the 
hands could neither labor in the field nor elsewhere out 
of doors, but were forced to work in the corn-house, shell- 
ing the corn. While all were thus busily employed, the 
doors closed, there entered five strong white men, besides 
our master, armed with pistols, swords, and clubs. What 
a shocking sight ! thus to take one poor unarmed negro, 
these men must be employed, and the county aroused to 
action. 

Ben was soon bound in hemp enough, comparatively 
speaking, to rig a small vessel. Thus bound, he was led 
to the place of torture, where he was whipped until his 
entrails could be seen moving within his body. Poor 
Ben I his crime, according to the laws o£ Maryland, was 
punishable with death ; a penalty far more merciful than 
the one he received. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. . 37 

The manner of whipping on Mr. Thomas's plantation, 
was to bind the victim fast, hands, body and feet, around 
a hogshead or cask, so that he was unable to move. After 
Ben was thus flogged, he said, " I wish I had killed the 
overseer, then I should have been hung, and an end put 
to my pain. If I have to do the like again, I will kill 
him and be hung at once V^ 

Ben was, for five weeks, unable to walk, or sit, or lie 
down. He could only rest upon his knees and elbows, 
and his wounds became so offensive, that no pA'son could 
long remain in his presence. He crawled about upon his 
hands and knees, gritting his teeth with pain and ven- 
geance, and often exclaiming, " How I wish I had taken 
his life V' 

After this, Mr. Thomas forbade his overseers meddling 
with Ben, telling them that he would kill them if they 
did ; also, that he was a good hand, and needed no driv- 
ing. When Ben got well, Mr. Thomas knowing his dis- 
position, was afraid to go near or speak to him ; conse- 
quently, he was sent to a distant part of the farm to> 
work by himself, nor was he ever again struck by master 
or overseer. 

Ben was a brave fellow, nor did this flogging lessen* 
his bravery in the least. Nor is Ben the only brave 
slave at the South ; there are many there who would 
rather be shot than whipped by any man. 

After I had learned to read, I was very fond of read- 
ing newspapers, when I could get them. One day in the 
year 1830, I picked up a piece of old newspaper contain- 
ing the speech of J. Q. Adams, in the U. S. Senate, unon. 

4 



38 . LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

a petition of the ladies of Massachusetts, praying for the 
abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. This I 
kept hid away for some months, and read it until it was 
so worn that I could scarce make out the letters. 

While reading this speech, my heart leaped with joy. 
I spent many Sabbaths alone in the woods, meditating 
upon it. I then found out that there was a place where 
the negro was regarded as a man, and not as a brute ; 
where he might enjoy the " inalienable right of life, lib- 
erty, and the pursuit of happiness ''; and where he could 
walk unfettered throughout the length and breadth of the 
land. 

These thoughts were constantly revolving in my mind, 
and I determined to see, ere long, the land from whence 
echoed that noble voice ; where man acknowledged a differ- 
ence between his brother man and a beast ; and where I 
could "worship God under my own vine and fig tree, with 
none to molest or make afraid.'^ 

Little did Mr. Adams know, when he was uttering that 
speech, that he was " opening the eyes of the blind "; 
that he was breaking the iron bands from the limbs of 
one poor slave, and setting the captive free. But bread 
cast upon the waters, will be found and gathered after 
many days. 

But Mr. Adams has gone from hope to reward, and 
while his mortal body is laying in the dust of ttie earth, 
awaiting the summons for the re-union of soul and body, 
his spirit is with God in his kingdom above. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 39 

CHAP. VIL 

Neae our plantation lived as cruel a planter as ever 
God suffered to live, named doctor Jackson ; wlio was the 
owner of a large farm, with several slaves. He was des- 
titute of heart, soul, and conscience ; while his wife was 
of the same character. She often induced him to ill- 
treat the slaves, especially those about the house ; she 
heing as ready to complain of them, as he was to punish 
them. 

One day, she became displeased with Sarah, her cook, 
and wanted her husband to whip her. She said to Sa- 
rah, " I swear I will make your master whip you, as sooa 
as he comes to the house "; to which Sarah replied, 
" Those who will swear, will lie !'' This reply she report- 
ed to the doctor upon his return ; upon which he tied Sa- 
rah up and whipped her, until the flesh so cleaved from 
the bone, that it might easily have been scraped off with 
the hand ; while the blood stood in puddles under her 
feet. 

After taking her down, he anointed her lacerated back 
with a mixture of grease and tar, which was a new ap- 
plication ; the usual one being strong brine. For a long 
time after this, the poor creature could neither walk nor 
stand, and it was dreadful to see her crawling about in 
such painful agony. To Mrs. Jackson, however, it was a 
deUghtful sight, for she seemed to gloat over the sight of 
such bloody, mangled victims. Her cook had often be- 
fore been flogged, but never so much to her satisfaction. 

I was one day sent upon an errand to the doctor's 



40 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

house, and being acquainted, I did not ask permission to 
enter, but went in unannounced at the dining-room door. 
There I saw a little slave girl, about eight years of age, 
running about the room ; while Mrs. Jackson was follow- 
ing and lashing her, and the blood running upon the 
floor ! The child's offense was breaking a dish ! ! 

On another side of our plantation lived another tyrant, 
by name Clinton Hanley ; who also had a large farm 
well stocked with slaves. In his cruelty, this man had 
invented a somewhat different way of punishing his 
slaves, from that practised by most masters. He whip- 
ped severely, drove hard, and fed poorly. In cold weath- 
er he sent his slaves, both men and women, through the 
snow, without shoes, to cut wood. 

He had one slave, named Mary, who was thus sent out 
to cut wood, until hex feet were so frozen and cracked, that 
she could be tracked by her blood. To punish her, he 
one day ordered two men to lift up the fence and put her 
head under, while he sat upon it to increase the weight. 
While thus occupied, he was suddenly seized with a vio- 
lent pain at his heart, of which he died within three 
days. 

I was hired out one year to a Mr. Compton, who was 

•a kind master ; feeding and clothing well, and seldom 

beating his slaves, of which he owned about one hundred 

able bodied and intelligent men and women. His wife 

was equally as kind as a Mistress. 

Mr. Compton was a sportsman, and very fond of gam- 
ing, horse racing and drinking. His slaves were all re- 
ligious, and much attached to their master and mistress. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 41 

The J were allowed to hold their prayer meetings unmo- 
lested, in their own quarters, and I felt thankful that I 
had once more got among Christians. 

Mr. Compton finally got so in debt, by his extrava- 
gance, that he was obliged to sell his slaves to pay his 
creditors. Th^ slaves, little suspecting for what purpose, 
were sent down to town to pack tobacco. While busily 
engaged at this work, the warehouse door was suddenly 
closed, to prevent their escaping ; when about sixty of 
them were fettered and put on board a schooner, then 
lying at anchor in the river, for the express purpose of 
conveying them far to the South. Only three were for- 
tunate enough to make their escape. The women and 
children were brought down from the farm in wagons, 
and put on board the vessel. 

But 1 reader, could you have seen those men, 
loaded down with irons, as they passed weeping from the 
warehouse, }ou must have exclaimed, " Great God, how 
long wilt thou sufier this sin to remain upon the earth ?'^ 

The three men who made their escape, were sold to 
new masters. 

Mrs. Compton, being from home at the time, knew 
nothing of this transaction until her return. When she 
first heard of it, she fainted; but upon recovering ex- 
claimed, in the anguish of her heart, " 0, my people ; 
husband, my heart will break V^ 

But her tears were of no avail ; it was too late ; the 
vessel, freighted with its human cargo, had already weigh- 
ed anchor, and was under sail. Wafted by the northern 

breeze she gallantly sailed down the stream at the rate of 

04 



42 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON. 

nine knots per hour ; while the multitude stood upon the 
banks and watched her disappearance, tears of pity flow- 
ing down their cheeks. 

She soon vanished from their sight. But God, who 
has his ways in the wind, and manages the sea, had his 
purpose fixed ; so thought one of the slaves, who, in his 
faith, raised his cry of petition to the living God ; so 
while some were dancing to please the captain and crew, 
others were crying. 

The vessel ran well for about four days, when sudden- 
ly the sky became overcast with dense black clouds, from 
whence flashed the forked lightnings, and pealed the fear- 
ful thunders. The raging billows lashed into fury, rolled 
mountain high, until there seemed no possible escape from 
the frowns of a sin-avenging God. The captain summoned 
all hands on board, and the vessel was finally driven up- 
on a sand beach, near one of the West India Islands, 
where all on board, except one of the sailors, was saved. 
And thus did these slaves obtain their freedom. The 
trader himself was not on board, having gone by land, to 
the place where he expected to meet the slaves, defter 
giving them in charge to another person. 

From this time to the day of her death, Mrs. Comp- 
ton always wore the marks of a sorrowful woman, while 
her husband became a miserable wretch. In consequence 
•of his inability to pay my year's wages, I only remained 
with him until Christmas ; after which I was hired out 
to Richard Thomas, my mistress's brother ; who was the 
most humane of the family, and who, notwithstanding he 
liked to whip them himself, did not choose that any one 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 43 

else should chastise his slaves. I lived with him two 
years. 

He had a hired plantation about thirty-five miles from 
his father's, where were my father, mother and five broth- 
ers ; all having been hired out to him. Here I had an 
opportunity of improving in my education, for many of 
the planters in this region were not only rich, but hu- 
mane, and many of their slaves could read and write. 
Miserable loafing white people were scarce in that vicin- 
ity, their services not being needed. Neither was slave 
hunting much practised, therefore there was no patroling, 
and the land being less cursed by cruelty, was rich and 
fertile ; producing in abundance corn, wheat, and tobac- 
co, together with cotton enough for home consumption. 

Religion also flourished in that region, where there 
were no Catholic churches, but only Methodists and Epis- 
copalians. Finally the masters concluded to build a 
church for their slaves. So they united in the work and 
soon had a large church, under the superintendance of a 
white preacher ; although a colored man could preach in 
it, if qualified and licensed by the whites. The congre- 
gation was large. Many white people went there to hear 
the colored ones sing and praise God, and were often 
much aifected by their simple but earnest devotion. 

Mr. Thomas, being a lawyer of great reputation and 
extensive practise, was necessarily often called from 
home on business, disconnected with his farm ; conse- 
quently he employed an overseer to attend to this and 
the slaves. This overseer was a very proud and haughty 
fellow, made so by this sudden promotion ; he never be- 



44 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

for<3 having held such an office, ■which made him fancy 
himself, if not a god, at least an. emperor I 

Our living, which before had been decent, he soon en- 
tirely changed ; frequently allowing us but one meal of 
victuals a day, consisting of corn bread, sometimes baked 
in the ashes, with two salted herring. This was to be 
eaten before going to the field in the morning, and we 
were called at break of day, after which we had no more 
until our return at night. Now you must know, reader, 
that chopping wood all day, upon an empty stomach, is 
not what it is cracked up to be ! 

One cold w^inter's day in February he sent us to the 
woods to chop. I worked until I became so hungry and 
faint, that I thought I could stand it no longer, when I 
resolved to go to the house for something to eat ; or fail- 
ing, to die in the attempt. Some of the hands promising 
to follow me, I started, supposing them close at hand ; 
but I soon found myself alone, they having backed out, 
their courage failing. They thought, as I had troubled 
the waters, I might drink them alone ; but they declined 
to partake of such bitter streams. 

Before I reached the house, the overseer saw me and 
inquired where I was bound, to which I replied, " to the 
house, for something to eat.^^ He ordered me back, but 
I, being homeward bound, and under full sail, thought 
best not to 'bout ship, so he ran after me, caught me by 
the back of the neck, struck me with the butt end of the 
whip upon my head, but did not fell me to the ground. 
I seized hold of the whip, wrung it from his hand, threw 
him upon the ground, clenched him somewhere about the 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 45 

throat, and for a few moments stopped his mortal respir- 
ation. 

When I released him, he lost no time in running for 
the house, to tell his story to master Richard ; after 
which he hastened back to the w^oods. I went to our 
quarters, ate mj corn cake and herrings, and returned to 
the chopping. Nothing was said ; the silence of the 
grave seemed to reign around, broken only by the sound 
of the axes. The men seemed to cut more wood that af- 
ternoon, than at other times they had for a whole day. 

Next morning upon going, as usual, to the stable to at- 
tend to the horses, the ' overseer followed me, entered the 
stable and shut the door. He took from his pocket a 
rope, and ordered me to cross my hands, which I refused 
to do ; -upon which he seized a tobacco stick about four 
feet long and two inches thick, with which he struck and 
brought me to the ground. He then sprang upon me, 
for the purpose of tying my hands, but did not succeed, 
for I rose to my feet with him upon my back, shook off 
my uncomfortable load, and in turn mounted his back, 
wrung the stick from his hand, and with it commenced 
beating- him. 

As soon as he could escape from my hands, he opened 
the stable door and ran for the house ; from whence I 
soon saw him returning in great haste, accompanied by 
master Richard ; who, coming up to me, bade me surren- 
der. I did so, and he tied my hands across each other, 
then tied me to one of the beams in the barn, and told 
the overseer to whip me. Accordingly he divested him- 
self of his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and commenced 



46 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

flogging with all his might. But after giving me about 
ten cuts, to his extreme disappointment, he was told to 
desist, as that was sufficient. 

I thought much of being thus punished for nothing, 
and resolved that, should the overseer again attempt to 
whip me, I would kill him and abide the consequences. 
I therefore told master Richard, that I had rather die 
than again be whipped ; that the punishment of death 
was not so dreadful, and I should know next time what 
to do. " What will you do, sir ?" said he. I replied, 
" You alone have the right to correct me, sir. Had you 
been made acquainted with all the facts in the case, you 
would not have had me whipped so ; and if the oVerseer 
strikes me again, I will kill him and be hung at once, 
that there may be an end of me." He bade me hold my 
tongue, and go to work ; after which, turning to the 
overseer, he said, " Whenever that fellow disobeys, 
I wish you to inform me, that I may learn what is the 
fault ; I do not wish you to flog him ; I know he is a 
good hand, and needs no flogging to make him work.'^ 

After this, we had three meals a day, larger in propor- 
tion, and everything went on well, until the following 
July, when a difficulty arose between master and over- 
seer. 



CHAP. vni. 



My young master, being very fond of work himself, 
did not like to see lazy men around him. Whenever he 
came to the field, he always busied himself about some- 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 47 

thing, while the overseer stood with his whip under his 
arm, and his hands in his pockets, or sat under a shady 
tree and read the newspapers. I well know this would 
not last very long, and had the overseer known his em- 
ployer as well as I did, he would not thus have hazarded 
his best interest by an indulgence in such laziness, as 
finally dethroned him. 

Master Richard, coming into the field one day, found 
the overseer, as usual, sitting at his ease under a pleasant 
tree, which at once irritated him. Addressing the over- 
seer, as he was thus enjoying his comfort, he asked, " Why 
have not the ploughs been used in this field, where they 
are so much needed, instead of yonder, where they are 
less needed?" 

The overseer made some paltry reply, not so well suit- 
ed to master's dignity, as to the purpose which he had 
in contemplation, which was to discharge him immediate- 
ly ; a thing which, according to contract, he could not do. 
Directly, upon hearing the answer, he seized a stick which 
lay near, and with it aimed a violent blow at the over- 
seer's head, which, however, he fortunately dodged', when 
he ran from the field, left the plantation, and was seen 
there no more. 

My father was then put overseer, an office which he 
did not long fill, as in October following he sickened and 
died. His death was much lamented by all his fellow 
slaves, as well as by his master, Richard, who gave him 
every possible attention during his sickness, employing 
the best physicians to attend upon him. He called to 
see him three or four times each day, and sometimes sat 



48 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

by his bedside hours at a time, apparently striving to 
prevent the extinction of the vital spark ; but all to no 
purpose, for the great JMaster had called for him, and he 
must obey the summons. 

My father lived an exemplary life, and died a tri- 
umphant death, leaving to posterity a bright evidence of 
his acceptance with God. And, thank heaven, his prayers 
over me, a careless, hardened sinner, were not as seed 
sown upon a rock, but as bread cast upon the waters, to 
be seen and gathered after many days. 

Immediately after the decease of this faithful slave, 
master Richard directed my brother to take his horse 
and go up to old master's plantation, and inform his sis- 
ter Elizabeth, our mistress, that his father, John, her 
slave, was dead. As soon as she received the tidings, 
she came in her carriage to her brother's, but only to 
look on the lifeless clay of my father. " Oh ! '^ she ex- 
claimed, as she gazed upon the lifeless form, "I had rath- 
er lose all my other slaves, than to lose John." 

My brother was now put overseer, and made an excel- 
lent one. The crops, in their abundance, were gathered 
and safely secured. 

We now removed about forty miles to another planta- 
tion, in Prince George county, a neighborhood as different 
from that we had just left, as Alabama is from Kentucky. 
Here our master married a Miss Barber, very rich and 
equally cruel. I think she was about as bad a woman 
as ever lived. She soon spoiled her husband's disposi- 
tion, inducing in him the practice of the surrounding 
planters, to whip occasionally, whether there was a cause 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 49 

^or not. They considered whipping as essential to the 
good of the soul as the body ; and therefore sometimes 
indispensably necessary. 

My old grey-headed mother, now cook, was the first 
victim to the uncontrollable, hellish passions of her new 
mistress. My mother had always borne the reputation, 
in old mistresses time, of a very good cook ; but she 
could not suit this tyrannical mistress, do the best she 
could. Indeed, nothing was so pleasant to her as the 
smell of negro blood ! Entering the kitchen, she would 
beat my mother with shovel, tongs, or whatever other 
weapon lay within her reach, until exhausted herself ; 
then, upon her husband's return, she would complain to 
him, and cause him to strip and whip the victim until 
she was unable longer to stand. My feelings, upon hear- 
ing her shrieks and pleadings, may better be imagined 
than described. Sometimes she would, in this way, have 
all her servants whipped. 

While upon the other plantation, I spared no exertions 
to learn to read and write, both of which I could now do 
tolerably well ; and although I spent all my Sundays in 
study, still, master did not know that I could do either. 
One day he sent me with a note to a gentleman, requir- 
ing an answer by the bearer. The answer I put into my 
pocket with some writing of my own, one of which was 
the copy of a pass I had received from my master long 
before, to go to visit a friend. This copy I accidentally 
handed him, instead of the answering note, not perceiv- 
ing my mistake until he exclaimed, " What is this ?'' Im- 
mediately I discovered my mistake, and handed him the 



60 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

right paper. He kept both. At the time he said no 
more to me, but soon communicated the fact to his 
sister, pressing her to sell me, which she at length 
consented to do, empowering him to transact the busi- 
ness in reference to the sale. The next morning, 
while I was preparing feed for the horses in the 
stables, he, with four other white men, armed with 
bludgeons and pistols, came upon me. I looked about 
me for some means of resistance, but seeing none, con- 
cluded there was no way for me but to surrender. 

My hands were at once tied, after which I was taken 
to another part of the barn, where they commenced 
whipping me ; but the switches proving brittle, two of 
them were broken at once. This so enraged my master 
that he cursed the switches, and swore he had something 
that would not break. This was a cowhide, which he 
went and brought from the house, I, meanwhile, hanging 
suspended between the heavens and the earth, for no 
crime save what he himself was guilty of, namely, edu- 
cation. He finally concluded, however, not to whip me, 
lest it might injure my sale, and therefore ordered one of 
the other slaves to take me down, and prepare me to go 
to Alexandria. 

All being ready, he called for me to be brought out. 
As I passed the house door in crossing the yard, bound 
in chains, his wife came out and ordered me to stop a 
moment, while she delivered to me her farewell message. 

" Well, John,'^ she began, " you are going to be sold I" 
** Yes, madam, I suppose so,^^ was my reply. 

*' I am sorry,'' she continued, " that you are so disc- 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 51 

bedient to your master Richard, and if you will promise 
me to do better, I will plead with him not to sell you/' 

I answered, " Madam, I have done the best I am able 
for him, and cannot, to save my life, do better ; willingly 
would I do so, if I could. I do not know why he wishes 
to sell me.'' 

While I was speaking, he came out, being ready to 
start for the slave market. He said to his wife, " I don't 
wish you to speak to him, for I am going to sell him ; 
sister Elizabeth gave me leave to do so, and I shall do it." 
" He has promised me to do better, and I do not wish 
him sold," said his wife. 

" I don't want to hear any of his promises, he has 
made them before," was his reply. 

While this conversation was going on, a coachman 
from the lower plantation rode up, and handed master 
Kichard a note, saying that Miss Elizabeth had changed 
her mind, and did not wish me sold, and that if he did 
not want me any longer, to send me home to her. Thus 
was the affair knocked into a cocked hat. 

He took the rope from my hands, and bade me go to 
work, a command which I joyfully obeyed ; but feeling 
no gratitude to him, since, had it been in his power, he 
would have sold me. I finished my year with him, after 
which, on Christmas, I returned to my mistress. 



52 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

€HAP. IX. 

The following year, I was hired to Mr. Wm. BarLer, 
a Catholic himself, as were also his slaves, all except my- 
self. He adhered strictly to his religious profession, 
praying three or four times each day, and every Sunday 
morning calling up his slaves to attend prayer, to w^hich 
call I refused to respond. This refusal in me, caused in • 
him a strong dislike to me, insomuch that he seemed to 
dislike me, and hate to see me worse than the devil, 
against whom he prayed so devoutly. 

I was very fond of singing Methodist hymns while at 
work, especially if I was alone, the sound of wdiich threw 
him into spasms of anger. He accordingly treated me 
worse than any other slave upon the plantation, all of 
whom were treated bad enough. Our allowance was a 
quart of meal and two herrings per day. Our dinner 
was sent to us in the fields, both in hot and cold weath- 
er. None of our friends were ever permitted to come to 
the farm to see us. 

On Easter, it being holiday among the slaves, a negro 
belonging to Mr. Charles Gardner, not knowing our mas- 
ter's rules, called to see his mother and sister, whom Mr. 
Barber had hired, and whom he had not seen for a long 
time. Our master happening to get a glimpse of this 
negro, pitched upon him and endeavored to collar him. 
The black, being a strong active fellow, and understand- 
ing what we call the " Virginia hoist," seized and threw 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 53 

his assailant over his head to the distance of five feet, 
where he struck the ground so that his nose ploughed 
the earth some distance ! Before the discomfited master 
could rise from the ground, the slave had efiected his es- 
cape. 

But poor David's back must smart for his dex- 
terity. Master imagined that I invited David to our 
plantation for the purpose of retaliating some of my 
grievances, so I must share his fate. A difficulty 
now arose, for as master professed to be a Christian, 
he could not consistently whip without a cause, which 
he could not readily find, since he could not prove that I 
was in any way implicated in David's crime. 

Still, he could not rest satisfied until I was flogged, 
and therefore tried every way to find fault with me, which 
I knowing, did my best to prevent. But all efibrt to 
please, on my part, was useless. He sent me, one very 
cold day, a mile from the house to cut rails. The snow 
was about six inches deep. I had shoes and stockings, 
but still, as I had no chance to warm my feet from break 
of day until night, my dinner being sent me, which I was 
obliged to eat frozen, my feet were nearly frozen, and I was 
completely chilled. Mr. Barber watched me the whole day, 
except while away at dinner, which he hastened through as 
fast as possible, that he might not long lose sight of me. 

When it grew dark he started for the house, bidding 
me follow, as it was time to feed the cattle. As I was 
so cold, I thought I would kindle a fire and warm me be- 
fore going. I did so, and then started for the house. 
When passing through the yard, on my way to the cow- 



54 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

pen, I met Mr. B. returning, he having been there wait- 
ing for me. He, being a holy man I did not swear di- 
rectly, but said, <' Confound ^ou, where have you been?" 
accompanying the question by a blow from a four foot 
stick across my head. 

I tried to explain the reason of my delay, but he would 
not listen, and continued beating me. At last I caught 
hold of the stick, wrenched it from his hands, struck 
him over the head, and knocked him down, after which I 
choked him until he was as black as I am. When I let 
him up, he ran for his gun ; but when he returned I had 
fled to parts unknown to him. I kept away about two 
weeks, staying in the woods during the day, and coming 
to the quarters at night for something to eat. 

Mr. Barber, however, needing my services, as it was a 
very busy time, told the slaves, if they saw me, to tell 
me to come home, and that he would not whip me. This 
was to me a very welcome message, for I was tired of my 
life in the woods, and I immediately returned home. I 
went to work, as usual, thinking all was right ; but soon 
found myself very much mistaken. 

I worked about three weeks, during which I accom- 
plished six weeks labor. One day, while busily engag- 
ed, hoeing up new ground, I saw two men coming to- 
wards me, whom I soon recognized as constables, both of 
whom I well knew. Upon approaching near me, the 
constable for our district said, " John, you must come 
with me." 

I dropped my hoe and followed him. When I reached 
the house, I found poor David standing bound like a 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 55 

sheep dumb before its shearers. We were put up stairs 
to await Mr. B.'s orders, who was not then ready. The 
rope was tied so tight around David's wrists as to stop 
the circulation of the blood, and give him excruciating 
pain. He begged to have the rope loosened, but the of- 
ficer having him in charge, would not gratify him. The 
other constable, however, soon come and relieved him. 

Mr. Barber being ready, we set off for the magistrate's 
ofl&ce, which was about three miles from our house. Da- 
vid and I were tied together, his left being tied to my 
right hand. On the way the constable said to me, " John, 
I always thought you was a good negro ; what have you 
been doing ? You ought to behave so well as not to need 
whipping." 

I replied, " I have done nothing wrong, and if I am 
whipped, it shall be the last time on that farm ?" 

" What will you do ?" asked Mr. Barber. " Run away," 
I answered. " When we are done with you, you will not 
be able to run far," said he. " Well sir, if you whip me 
so that I am unable to walk, I can do you no good ; but 
if I can walk, I will take the balance of the year to my- 
self, and go home to my mistress, at Christmas." 

He did not relish this kind of talk, for he did not wish 
to pay my wages and not have my service, so he told me 
to shut my head or he would break it. Of course I said 
no more. 

We soon arrived at the dreaded place, and were left 
seated in the piazza awaiting our trial, a constable being 
present to watch us. I asked him for a drink of water, 
when he said, '* Would you not like a glass of brandy ?" 



56 LIFE OF JOnX THOMPSON, 

a drink very acceptable on such occasions. I re- 
plied in the affimative, when he brought out a half- 
pint tumbler nearly full, of which I drank the whole. 
This roused my courage, and I felt brave. My expected 
punishment was not half as much dreaded as before. 

The court being ready, we were brought before his 
honor, Justice Barber, uncle to my master. David was 
first tried, declared guilty, and sentenced to have 39 lash- 
es well laid upon his bare back. 

My case was next in order, but Mr. Barber, instead of 
preferring any charge against me, told the Judge he 
would forgive me this time, as he thought I would do 
better in future. Upon this the old man, raising his 
spectacles and looking at me, said, " Do you think you 
can behave, so as not to have to be brought before me 
again ?" " Yes sir,'' I answered quickly. " Well sir," 
he said, " go home to your work, and if you are brought 
before me again, I will order the skin all taken from your 
back I'' 

The rope was taken off my hands, and I was told to 
go in peace and sin no more. I waited to see the fate of 
poor David. He was taken to the whipping post, strung 
up until his toes scarce touched the ground, his back 
stripped and whipped until the blood flowed in streams 
to the ground. "When he was taken down he staggered 
like a drunken man. We returned together, talking over 
the matter on the way. He said, " 0, I wish I could 
die ! I am whipped for no fault of my own. I wish I 
had killed him, and been hung at onoe ; I should have 
been better off." I felt sorry for him. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 57 

I determined then, if he struck me again, I would kill 
him. I expected another attack, and accordingly plan- 
ned where I would conceal his body, where it would not 
readily be found, in case no one saw me perform the act. 
But God overruled. He had his destiny fixed, and no 
mortal could resist it, — no mortal arm could stay his 
mighty purpose. But I must hasten to the close of the 
year. 

Mr. Barber had a most luxuriant crop of tobacco near- 
ly ripe and ready for the harvest. Tobacco is so delicate 
a plant, that it will not stand the frost, and if exposed to 
it is thereby rendered nearly useless. Our crops had all 
been gathered except two fields, when by a sudden change 
in the wind to the north, it became so cold as to threaten 
a frost, which would probably destroy the tobacco re- 
maining in the field. Mr. Barber feared this, and not- 
withstanding it was the Sabbath, ordered his slaves to go 
and secure the remainder of the crop. 

Soon all hands were in the field at work. No other 
farmer in the neighborhood went out, all, excepting Mr. 
B. being willing to trust their crops to Him who had 
given them ; although many had larger quantities expos- 
ed. Being angry with the great Omnipotent for this 
threatening arrangement of his providence, Mr. Barber 
fell to beating his slaves on the Lord's day. But his 
suspected enemy did not come ; his fears were ground- 
less. The night cleared off warm, and no frost came. 



" God moves in a mysterious way, 
" His wonders to perform; 



58 LITE OF JOHN THOMPSON. 

" He plants his footsteps in the sea, 

"And rides upon the storm. 

'* Deep and unfathomable mine 

" Of never failing skill ; 

" He treasures up his bright design, 

"And works his sovereign will. 

" Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take ; 

" The clouds ye so much dread 

" Are big with mercy, and shall break 

" With blessings on your head. 

^' Judge not the Lord with feeble sense, 

*' But trust him for his grace ; 

" Behind a frowning providence 

"He hides a smiling face. 

" His purposes will ripen fast, 

^' Unfolding every hour ; 

" The bud may have a bitter taste, 

" But sweet will be the flower. 

" Blind unbelief is sure to err, 

" And scan his works in vain ; 

*'God is his own interpreter, 

" And he will make it plain. '^ 



We worked until midniglit on Sunday, and secured all 
the crops, as Mr. B. thought. 

The manner of curing tobacco is, to hang it up in th-e 
barn, and put a hot fire under it, so as to cure it gradu- 
ally. But the heat must be in proportion to the damp- 
ness of the tobacco. 

All things being regulated, Mr. B. began to boast of 
the security of his great crops. The following Satur- 
day, at three o'clock, P. M., he told his slaves that they 
might have the remainder of that day to compensate for 
the previous Sabbath, when they had worked. 

The same day, while preparing to go to confession, as 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 59 

usual, one of the slaves ran in and told him that the barn 
was on fire ! I looked from the kitchen door, saw the 
smoke bursting from the roof, and ran to the spot. Mas- 
ter got there before me, and within three minutes all the 
slaves were upon the spot ; but seeing it would be of no 
avail, they did not attempt to enter the barn. 

Mr. Barber, moved by his usual ambition, rushed in, 
notwithstanding the slaves tried to persuade him of the 
danger, and plead with him to desist ; but, blinded hj the 
god of this world, he would not listen to their entreaties, 
and rushed in just as the roof was ready to fall ! When 
they beheld the awful sight, the wails of the slaves might 
have been heard fully two miles. 

He was caught by the end of the roof only, as it fell, 
from which, in a minute or two, he made his escape, his 
clothes all on fire. He was taken to the house, but died 
the next Sunday week.. Before he died, however, like 
Nebuchadnezzar of old, he acknowledged that God reigns 
among the kingdoms of men. 

This sad event transpired in the month of October, af- 
ter which nothing more worthy of note occurred while I 
remained in the family, which was until Christmas. Af- 
ter this I returned to my mistress, who gave me a note 
permitting me to get myself another home. 



CHAP. X. 

I NOW called to see a Mr. James Burkit, who had form- 
erly been very rich, but who, by dissipation, had spent 



60 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

all his property, and become quite poor. He was willing 
to hire me, and sent word to my mistress to that effect. 
I commenced work there on the first day of January. 

There were but few slaves upon this plantation, upon 
which every thing seemed in an unprosperous condition ; 
fences broken down and fields overrun with weeds. I 
went to work, and soon had things in better order, which 
so much pleased my employer, that he made me foreman 
on the plantation. 

The father of Mr. Burkit, who died when James was 
very young, was a very rich man, and had the reputation 
among the slaves, of having been a very good master, 
and of having freed a portion of his slaves at his de- 
cease, one family of whom I knew. The balance of his 
slaves was divided among his heirs. 

One of these freed slaves, by name George Nichols, 
was a very delicate young man, unfit for field labor, and 
therefore brought up waiter in the old man's family. 
George being an expert hand at his business, was hired 
out to a man in Washington city, where he was when his 
old old master died, and where he had been for several 
years previous. 

As soon as the father died, his heirs tried to break the 
will, and thus again enslave those who had thereby been 
set free. Mr. Burkit was especially recommended to 
sell George immediately, as he had been so long out of 
the state, that, according to the laws of Maryland, he 
was free already, independent of the will. To accom- 
plish this, Mr. Burkit hastened directly to Washington, 
and went to a hotel kept by Mr. Brown, where George 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 61 

lived, whom lie desired to see. George was at work in 
a distant part of the house, but upon receiving the 
message that some one wished to see him, he hastened 
to the bar-room, where he was both surprised and 
pleased to see his 'master James. "How do jou do, 
Master James ?" he inquired, smilingly, and reached 
out his hand to grasp that of his young master. 

" I am well, how do you do, George ?" was the reply. 

" Very well, I thank you, sir,'' said poor George, and 
began to inquire for his parents, whom he had not seen 
for several years. They were very well, Mr. B. said, 
and then added, " George, I am about to be married, and 
have come for you to go to Halifax to serve as waiter at 
my wedding." 

At this George was much pleased, thinking it highly 
complimentary that his young master had come so far 
for him, to serve at the wedding. 

When ^Ir. Burkit made known to Mr. Brown, the hotel 
keeper, that he intended to sell George far south, that 
gentleman was much surprised, and said, " Why, Mr. 
Burkit, you don't mean to take George from me at this- 
time ; you will ruin me. Congress is in session, my 
house is full of boarders, and he is my best waiter ; I 
cannot well get along without him. If you wish to sell 
him, I will buy, and give you as much for him as you 
can get elsewhere." 

But Mr. Burkit would not sell him to Mr. Brown. 

George heard and knew nothing of this conversation. 

When he was ready, he came to the bar-room with his 

small bundle of clothes under his arm, and soon started 

6 



62 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

oiF with his master James. Mr. Brown called the latter 
back and said, " Mr. Burkit, I will give you one hundred 
dollars more than any other man for George ; or I will 
give you eight hundred now. No other man will give as 
much, for one unacquainted with 'him would not give 
over six hundred. To look at him, he appears like a 
very delicate boy, and indeed, he is fit only for a waiter ; 
consequently worth more to a person in my business, 
than to a planter. As I know what he can do, I will 
give more than a stranger would.'' To all these offers 
Mr. Burkit turned a deaf ear,, and again started off. 

On account of. his tender feet, George had to wear soft 
slippers, suitable only to be worn within doors. On the 
way to the vessel, which was waiting to receive them, 
George said, " Master James, will you please to get me 
another pair of slippers? These I have on will be unfit 
to wear at your wedding." " yes, George, you shall 
have a pair," was the reply. 

After they got on board the vessel, George said, " mas- 
ter James, you have forgotten my slippers." " G — d 
d — n you, if you ask for slippers, I will break your d — ^n 
head !" was his only answer. Then George knew, for the 
first time, that he was to be sold. His master continued, 
" you have been a gentleman in Washington long enough, 
now if you ask me for anything, I will beat out your 
d — d brains with a handspike !" George now felt that 
his case was hopeless. 

The vessel soon arrived in port, when George was put 
in irons, and confined in a slave pen among a drove of 
slaves, in New Market. This dreadful news was soon 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 63 

sent to his mother, who lived at a considerable distance, 
but who hastened at once to see and bathe in tears her 
child. 

When she reached the pen, she was conducted up 
stairs to a room, in the middle of which was a long sta- 
ple driven into the floor, with a large ring attached to it, 
having four long chains fastened to that. To these were 
attached shorter chains, to which the slaves were made 
fast by rings around their ankles. Men, women and 
children were huddled in this room together, awaiting 
the arrival of more victims, as the drove was not full. 

In this miserable condition did Mrs. Nichols, who had 
served out her time, find her son ; who was as much en- 
titled to his freedom as she was to hers. And in this 
condition she left him forever ! Would that the Rev. Dr. 
Adams and others, who paint slavery in such glowingly 
beautiful colors, could have seen this, and have heard the 
agonizing cries of that mother and child, at parting ! 
Think of these things, ye men of God ! 

The trader told the poor mother, that if she could find 
any one to buy her son, he would sell him for just what 
he gave, five hundred dollars, as he was not what he 
wanted, and he only bought him to gratify Mr. Burkit. 
He continued, "I want only strong able-bodied slaves, as 
the best can only live five or six years at longest, and 
your son, being so delicate, I shall get little for him.'^ 

George then said, " Mother, don't grieve for me, it is 
for no crime that I have done ; it is only because I was 
to be free. But if you will please send to Washington, as 
soon as possible, and ask Mr. Brown, the gentleman that 



64 ■ LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

I lived with, to buy me, I know ho will gladlj do so. 
Tell him I have one hundred and fifty dollars in my 
trunk, in my room at the hotel, which he can use towards 
paying for me.'' 

The old woman hastened from New Market, which lies 
on the eastern shore of Maryland, between Cambridge 
and Vienna, to her own home, a distance of fifteen miles. 
Upon reaching home, she hastened to a friend, as she 
thought, (though he wore a friendly face, and possessed 
an enemy's heart,) to whom she related her sad story, 
requesting him to write for her to Mr. Brown at Wash- 
ington, which he promised to do. She supposed he had 
done so, and waited anxiously for an answer ; but none 
ever came, and the poor young man was carried away, 
where he has never since been seen or heard from by his 
heart-broken mother. The name of this supposed friend 
was Annalds. He was an old man, and a member of the 
Methodist church. Of course the colored people had 
great confidence in him, on account of his supposed piety, 
as he made loud professions, and talked high of heaven. 
But it was all hypocrisy, God in the face, and the devil 
in the heart ; for he cheated the poor free blacks out of 
their rightful wages whenever he got a chance. 

The i^lantation adjoining Mr. Burkit's was owned by 
a very rich planter, Robert Dennis, Esq. He was a very 
kind master, always treated his slaves well, would neith- 
er whip them himself, nor suffer another person to do so, 
and would not sell them. Consequently, he was much 
beloved by his slaves, who regarded him as a father. 

He had a great number of well looking slaves, men, 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 65 

women and children, over whom lie would have no over- 
seer, but trusted all to them in cultivating his large 
tracts of land ; nor did they ever betray his trust or give 
him any trouble. But at length happened a sad event 
to these slaves, at the death of their much beloved mas- 
ter. Sorrow now filled their hearts, and spread a gloom 
over the whole plantation ; for now, like other slaves, they 
must be separated and sold from their friends and fami- 
lies, some, perhaps, to cruel masters. They knew the 
estate was somewhat in debt, and expected to have to be 
sold to cancel it, at least part of them. 

This would have been done but for Miss Betsey, who 
could not endure the idea of seeing her grandfather's de- 
voted slaves sold to pay debts which they had no hand 
in contracting. She watched for an opportunity, when, 
unseen by the white people, she could go to the slaves' 
quarters ; and having found one, she immediately hasten- 
ed there, and told them that she had some bad news for 
them, but dared not communicate it until they pledged 
themselves not to betray her, which they readily did, as 
they did not wish to bring harm upon her, which they 
knew they should do by telling of her. 

She then told them that there was some dispute about 
the settlement of the estate, which, it was thought, could 
not be settled without selling them all ; which, she said, 
she could not bare to see done. 

They all exclaimed at once, " What shall we do ?" 
She answered frankly, "You had better make your 
escape." They said they knew not where to go, nor how 
to do. She told them that their Christmas holidays 



QQ LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

were near at hand, when they would have permission to 
go to visit their friends and relatives. She recommend- 
ed them then to obtain of their master John, passes for 
this purpose, each of which \\as to be for a different 
direction from the others. Then leave for the free 
States. 

Most of them did as she directed, obtained their pass- 
es, left for the free States, and have not since been seen 
at their old home. 

Miss Betsey in this performed a good deed, yet she 
was soon after betrayed, and that, too, by a slave. An 
old woman, whose sons escaped with the rest, made a ter- 
rible fuss, crying and lamenting to a great rate, and 
saying that Miss Betsey had sent all her children off to 
the " Jarsers ^'; (meaning New Jersey, which was the 
only free State of which she seemed to have any idea,) 
and she should never see them again. She continued in 
this way until it came to the ears of the white people, 
who inquired of Miss Betsey about it. She denied all 
knowledge of the matter, and said, " Cousin John, do you 
think I would advise the slaves to run away ? I have 
said nothing to them about being sold. Old Priss, you 
know, is always drunk, and knows not what she says." 

This partially quieted the heirs, but did not remove all 
suspicion, and they still thought that Miss Betsey was 
in some way concerned in the affair. So when the estate 
was divided, they did not give her as much as would 
wrap around her finger, and she lived a poor girl for sev- 
eral years. 

Subsequently she removed to Baltimore, where she 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 67 

married a poor man. But God remembered her. Each 
of the blacks whom she helped to escape from bondage, 
upon hearing of her poverty, and her place of residence, 
sent her fifty dollars, eight hundred dollars in all, as a 
token of their thankfulness and gratitude. 

Those who did not leave, according to her direction, 
were all sold. 



CHAP. XL 

I WAS next hired out to Mr. Hughes, who was, com- 
paratively, a poor man, having but one working slave of 
his own ; the rest on his farm being all hired. His ac- 
commodations for his workmen were good ; we all ate at 
the kitchen table. 

I had not been long at this place, before it became 
known that I could read and write, upon which I was for- 
bidden to visit the slaves on any of the neighboring plan- 
tations. One man, who had several pretty girls upon 
his farm, that I was fond of visiting, as soon as he learn- 
ed that I was sometimes there, tried to catch me to whip 
me. But I always managed to elude him, and yet to 
have him know that I had been there, after I had gone 
away. 

This provoked him most desperately, and determined 
him to catch me at any rate. So he employed the pa- 
trollers to watch for me, catch me if possible, and by all 
means bring me to him before flogging me, that he might 



68 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

enjoy tlie pleasure by sharing in it. For a long time 
their efforts proved unavailing. I was often in his house, 
in the room adjoining that in which he then was, and 
while the patrollers were searching the quarters. 

At last, however, fortune seemed to favor him. One 
night, at an unusually early hour for the patrollers to be 
abroad, I was at one of his slave quarters, while the pa- 
trollers were at the other. One of the girls ran and told 
me of this, and said farther, that they would be down 
there soon. This, you may well guess, was no very 
pleasant news to me, especially as I was at the time 
cozily seated beside a pretty young lady. And as ladies 
you know, love bravery, so I did not like to hasten my 
usual steps, lest it should appear like cowardice ; still, I 
knew delays were dangerous. 

I considered a moment, and finally started, thinking it 
my safest course ; but I had not proceeded more than 
five feet from the door, before the enemy were upon me. 
There was another colored man in the quarter at the 
same time, who, if caught, was as liable to be whipped 
as myself; still, I was their special object of pursuit, as 
Mr. Bowlding had promised them twenty-five dollars, if 
they caught me on his place. 

When we saw the patrollers, we both started at full 
speed, Ben, the other colored man, being about fifty yards 
ahead, and they after us. They continued the chase 
about a quarter of a mile, after which they returned ; 
but, still thinking them at my heels, I continued my 
flight a mile, Ben still in advance. As soon as I discov- 
ered that we were alone, I called to Ben to stop ; but he, 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 69 

thinking it was the voice of one of his pursuers, only put 
on more steam, until, finally, he ran against a rail fence, 
(the night being very dark,) knocked down two lengths 
of it, and fell upon it himself, which stopped his career 
until I came up, explained all, and banished his fears. 

We stopped awhile to rest ourselves, and consult upon 
our farther course. I concluded best for me to go home, 
but he decided upon returning to the quarters, thinking 
the patrollers would now be gone, and he did not like to 
forego a pleasant chat with the ladies, especially as he 
had come so far for that express purpose. He thought 
this step would efface from the ladies' minds this appear- 
ance of his cowardice, and restore his reputation for he- 
roism, because no person is allowed to possess gentle- 
manly bravery and valor at the South, who will run from 
the face of any man, or will not even courageously look 
death in the face, with all its terrors. I did not for a 
moment doubt that the company of ladies was pleasant, 
and that a display of heroism was a pretty sure pathway 
to their favor ; still, I thought the preservation of a 
sound back, was not a thing to be overlooked, or treated 
lightly, so I determined to proceed homeward, which de- 
termination, as the sequel will show, proved a wise one. 
Ben returned to the quarters, and while standing in the 
yard, rehearsing the particulars of his flight, the patrol- 
lers suddenly came upon him, and seized him behind by 
the collar of his jacket. This garment being loose, he 
threw his arms back and ran out of it. And now follow- 
ed another chase, in which, as before, Ben was victorious, 
and reached home in safety. 



70 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

The affair passed off, and I -supposed was ended, until 
about two weeks afterwards, when one day, being at work 
near the house, I saw two horsemen ride up to the stile, 
dismount and enter the house. Very soon Mr. Hughes 
came to the door, and requested me to come to the house. 
I did so, when, to my surprise, I found the horsemen 
were constables. 

Mr. Hughes, turning to me, said, " John, these gentle- 
men have come to take you before a magistrate, to testify 
to ^\h?Lt you know concerning the wheat that was found 
at Mr. Bowlding's, on the"night that you ran from there.'' 
I replied, " I know nothing of the wheat, as I saw and 
heard of none." " Well," he said, " you will only be re- 
quired to tell of what you know. Do you know the con- 
sequence of taking a false oath ?" 

'* Yes, sir," I replied. " Well, what is it?" he asked. 
"I shall go to hell," I answered. " Yes, and that is not 
all," he said, " you will also have your ears cropped." 

Turning to the constable, he said, *' Mr. Waters, please 
send him home as soon as you are through with him, for 
I am very busy and need him." He added, to me, " hur- 
ry home as soon as they get done with you ; do you 
hear ?" " Yes sir," I answered. Upon this we started. 

We had to go about a mile, mostly through the woods, 
and they, fearing I would seize this opportunity, so good 
a one, to try to escape, began to cut jokes to amuse me. 
But I had no idea of trying to escape, as I did not ex- 
pect a whipping, knowing that, although a constable may 
seize and flog a slave, if caught from home after nightfall 
without a pass ; stiJl, according to law, they have no 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 71 

right to take him before a justice and whip him for being 
from home at any time, that being exclusivelj the mas- 
ter's or overseer's privilege. So I went on cheerfully. 

When I reached the place of trial, I saw a large col- 
lection of people, it being the day for magistrates' meet- 
ings, and among the rest, the girl I was courting, brought 
there for the purpose of humbling my pride, and morti- 
fying me. For you must think, reader, that it would be 
rather mortifying to be stripped and flogged in the pres- 
ence of a girl, especially, after cutting such a swell as I 
had. Many of the crowd came expressly to see me whip- 
ped, for they thought I assumed too much of the gentle- 
man. 

Ben's case came on first, but neither of us were allow- 
ed to be present, but were kept in the yard during the 
•trial and giving the sentence. Although, in the North 
it is customary to have a defendant present, to hear his 
case stated, yet, we were denied this, and were only in- 
formed of our sentence, after it had been passed. 

Ben's sentence was to receive ten stripes, five for his 
first, and as many for his second ofience. While being 
whipped, he dropped his handkerchief, which the consta- 
ble picked up and handed to him, upon which he exclaim- 
ed, " D — n the handkerchief." This being reported to 
the justice, five stripes more were added to his first sen- 
tence, thus, making fifteen in all. 

I was next brought forward, to receive five stripes, 
when I saw several smile, and heard them say to the con- 
stable, " Put it on well !" I was stretched up and fasten- 
ed to the limb of a tree, just so that my toes could touch 



iZ LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

the ground. Every stroke buried the lash in my flesh. 

When I was released, instead of returning to Mr. 
Hughes', I went to see my .mistress, she being then at 
her brother Richard's. I arrived there about ei^^ht 
o'clock in the evening, went into the kitchen, and told 
the servant that I wanted to see mistress ; who, upon 
hearing of it, came directly out, and expressed much joy 
at seeing me, saying : " How do you do, John ?'' I told 
her that I was almost dead. " What is the matter ?" 
she inquired. I answered, ^' I am whipped almost to 
death." " By whom ?" she asked. , " By the constable, 
before the magistrate." " Eor what ?" said she. I then 
related to her the whole story. 

She rushed into the house, and told her brother of the 
afiair, who sent for me to come in and repeat the story 
again to him. I did so, and also pulled off my jacket, and 
showed them my shirt, wet with blood. This so affected 
my mistress, that she commenced walking the floor, and 
weeping, saying meanwhile, that she was imposed upon, 
because she was a lone girl, and had no one to take an 
interest in her affairs ; that if her father was alive, they 
would sooner thrust their heads into the fire^ than treat 
her so. She did not believe this was for any fault of 
mine, but simply because they grudged her her pro- 
perty. 

This roused master Richard at once, for when she 
spoke of her father, and her lonely condition, it touched 
him in a tender point. Now it will be recollected, that 
this man was a lawyer, and he was feared rather than 
respected by most who knew him. He bade me go home, 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 73 

but told me not to go to -work until lie came. I went 
home and to bed, pretending to be very sick, so that 
when Mr. Hughes called next morning for me to go to 
work, i was unable to get up. About 10 o'clock master 
Richard, mounted upon a fine horse, rode up, and asked 
to see Mr. Hughes. This gentleman immediately came 
out, and invited him to alight and enter the house, which 
invitation was declined, as, he said, all his business could 
be transacted there. 

He inquired if Mr. Hughes knew . how cruelly I had 
been beaten, and received for answer that he did not. 
That he only knew that two constables came there, bring- 
ing a warrant to take me before a magistrate, in relation 
to some wheat that had been found at Mr. Thomas 
Bowlding's. 

Master Richard inquired the names of the constables 
and magistrates, and whatever else Mr. Hughes knew 
concerning the matter ; after which he asked for me- 
Upon being called, I went out, when master Richard told 
me to go over to the magistrate's, which I did, reaching: 
there before he did. 

When he entered the office, he asked to see the jus- 
tice's docket or books, which were shown him ; but the- 
magistrate seeing me, suspected something wrong, and 
commenced explaining before being asked. Master Rich- 
ard said nothing, until he had finished examining the doc- 
uments, where, failing to find any charge, he inquired 
what was the complaint alleged against me. 

Oh I he said, there was no regular complaint ; but Mr- 
Hughes said I would not work and attend to my duty at 

7 



74 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

home, and Mr. Bowlding complained that I went to his 
plantation and kept the girls up all night, so that they 
■were unfit for service next day ; so he thought he would 
order me a few stripes, just to frighten and keep me in 
order. 

" That, then, is all, sir ?'^ inquired master Richard, 
contemptuously. He then bade me take off my shirt, 
and exhibit my bruised back, after which he added to the 
justice, " Now, sir, please look at his back ! is that mere- 
ly to frighten him ? You had no right to do this, and I 
will make it cost you more than he is worth I'^ 

In the meantime, the constable came up, upon seeing 
whom, master Richard went towards him, asking, " Why 
did you whip my sister's negro in such a manner ?'' 
" Because it was my duty,'' was the answer. " Then, 
sir, it is my duty to give you just such an one," said 
master Richard, at the same time drawing his pistol, 
cocking and presenting it to the affrighted constable. 
" And," he continued, " I will blow out your brains, if 
you move I" He then, with his horsewhip, lashed the 
constable as much as he thought he needed, the fellow 
making not the least resistance. 

I went home to Mr. Hughes' as well as ever, nor was 
I again troubled by patrollers, while I remained in his 
employ. He one day said to me, " John, now I hope 
you will stay at home. You have caused more disturb- 
ance in the neighborhood, than any one before ; have 
caused Mr. Simpson to be turned out of office, and to be 
obliged to pay more than you are worth. I would not 
have you another year as a gift, and shall be glad when 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 75 

your time is up." So at Christmas, I left Mr. Hughes, 
and went to a new place. 



CHAP. xn. 

My new master's name was Mr. Horken. He was a 
tolerably good man, so far as whipping was concerned ; 
but fed his slaves most miserably, giving them meat only 
once each month. 

At the plantation where I lived two years previously, 
I became acquainted with three slaves, who had now de- 
termined to make an effort to gain their freedom, by 
starting for the free States. They came down to see me, 
and try to induce me to go with them, they intending to 
start in about three weeks ; but they exacted from me a 
promise of secrecy in regard to the whole matter. I had 
not as yet fully made up my mind to make an attempt 
for my freedom, therefore did not give a positive promise 
to accompany them. I had known several, who, having 
made the attempt, had failed, been brought back, whip- 
ped, and then sold far to the South. Such considera- 
tions somewhat discouraged me from making the at- 
tempt. 

As the time drew near for them to start, they came 
again to know my decision. I told them that I had con- 
sulted my mother, whose fears for my success were so 
great, that she had persuaded me not to go. These three 
friends were very religious persons, one of them being a 



7Q LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

Methodist preacher. He, in particular, urged me very 
strongly to accompany them, saying that he had full con- 
fidence in the surety of the promises of God, who had 
said that heaven and earth should pass away, before one 
jot of his word should fail ; that he had often tried God, 
and never knew him to fail ; consequently he believed he 
was able to carry him safely to the land of freedom, and 
accordingly he was determined to go. Still I was afraid 
to risk myself on such uncertain promises ; I dared not 
trust an unseen God. 

This visit to me was on Sunday, and they had planned 
to start the Saturday night following, and travel the next 
Sunday and Monday. It was not uncommon for slaves 
to go away on Saturday and not return until the follow- 
ing Tuesday, feigning sickness as an excuse, though this 
pretence not unfrequently subjected them to a flogging. 
So that very little alarm was felt for a slave's absence 
until Wednesday, unless his previous conduct had excited 
suspicion. 

On the night on which they intended to start, accom- 
panied by several of their fellow slaves, they repaired to 
an open lot of ground. Others, prompted by curiosity, 
followed, until quite a large concourse was assembled. 
Here they knelt in prayer to the great God of Heaven 
and Earth, invoking Him to guard them through every 
troublesome scene of this life, and go with them to their 
journey's end. Afterwards they sang a parting hymn, 
bidding their companions no other farewell, the hymn be- 
ing exactly appropriate to the occasion. It was one of 
the old camp-meeting songs : — 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 77 

" Farewell my clear brethren, I bid you farewell ! 
I am going to travel the way to excel ; 
I am going to travel the wilderness through, 
Therefore, my dear brethren, I bid you adieu ! 

The thought of our parting doth cause me to grieve, 
So well do I love you ; still you I must leave ; 
Though we live at a distance, and you I no more see, 
On the banks of eld Canaan united we will be." 

I well remember the evening of their departure. 
It was a beautiful night, the moon poured a flood of 
silver light, and the stars shone brilliantly upon their 
pathway, seeming like witness of God's presence, and an 
encouragement that he would guide them to their jour- 
ney's end. 

After they had gone, I began to regret that I had so 
much distrusted God, and had not accompanied themf 
and these regrets weighed so heavily upon my mind, that 
I could not rest day or night. 

Wednesday came, and with it uproar and confusion, 
for three slaves were missing, of whom no one could give 
any account. Search was instantly made, which was, of 
course, unavailing, since they were already safe in some 
free State. Who would have thought that those content- 
ed negroes would have left their masters, preferring free- 
dom to slavery ? But they are in Canada. 

Some time after this, master Eichard concluded to sell 
his plantation, and with his slaves remove to Mississippi, 
my mistress consenting that he might take hers also. So 
he, one day, told me that I could have my choice, go with 
him or be sold. I told him I would not leave him to go 

to any one else in the known world. He then said that 

70 



78 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

he would hire me out the next year, upon conditions that 
my employer should release me to him whenever he call- 
ed for me. So when my year with Mr. Horken was up, 
I was hired to Dr. Johns upon the above conditions. 

It was rumored about that I had given the three es- 
caped slaves passes, it being known that I could write a 
tolerable hand. But master Richard looked into the 
affair, and finding no evidence against me, the subject 
was dismissed. 

I lived with Dr. Johns from the commencement of the 
year, until the middle of June. About this time two 
more slaves attempted to escape, but were overtaken, 
caught, and brought back. It was said they had passes, 
but of the truth of this I am not sure, as the slavehold- 
ers reported many stories to implicate me in guilt. But 
God fought my battle. 

To make matters appear still more in my disfavor, one 
slave, whom I never knew, told his master that I was go- 
ing to run away, and had been trying to persuade him to 
go ; that my master was going to remove me South, but 
that I intended to leave for the free States. 

These were facts ; but how this slave came by them I 
never knew, as I had only confided them to one man, and 
he came off with me. I left home on Saturday night, 
and on Sunday several slaves were arrested and put in 
irons, suspected of intentions of trying to escape with 
me. I was about three miles from home, and knew noth- 
ing of all this, though they were hunting for me. 

I felt very melancholy all day Sunday, yet knew not 
the cause. Early Monday morning, the constables were 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 79 

at Dr, Johns', waiting my arrival, to take me ; but I did 
not go liome that morning, nor have I ever since been 
there. Still, it was my intention to have gone, but God 
overruled that intention by a better. 

I started early on Monday to return to the doctor's, 
and got within a mile of that place, to a fork of the 
roads, when suddenly my steps were arrested, and a voice 
seemed to say, don't go any farther in that direction. I 
stopped, considered a moment, and concluded that it was 
mere fancy or conceit. So I started on again ; but the 
same feelings returned with redoubled force. 

What can all this mean ? I queried within myself; 
these sensations so strange and unusual ; yet so strong 
and irresistable ? It was God, warning me to avoid dan- 
ger by not going home. So I turned upon my footsteps, 
and immediately these feelings left me. I sat down by 
the side of the road to reason upon the matter, when, for 
the first time, I felt an entire confidence in God, and 
prayed in faith. 

I now made a third attempt to go home. But upon 
reaching the same spot, I was more uncontrollably efiect- 
ed than before. I became nearly blind, my head swam, 
and I could scarcely stand. I now felt satisfied that it 
was the working of an unseen God, and really think that 
had I still persisted in my attempts to go forward in that 
direction, I should have fallen as one dead, in the road. 

I therefore went into the woods and stayed until night, 
when I went to a neighboring slave's quarters, where I 
got something to eat. After this, I started for Mr. Mor- 
ton's plantation, where Uncle Harry's wife lived, and 



80 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON. 

whicli was near Dr. Jolins\ Harry was a carpenter, and 
was at work for the doctor, therefore I knew that I 
could learn through him the whole state of affairs there, 
as he came home to stay nights. 

As soon as I entered the house, Uncle Harry exclaim- 
ed, " John, what have you been doing ?'^ " Nothing,^' I 
answered. He then said, " the whole plantation, at the 
doctor's, is in an uproar about you, as they say you have 
been giving passes to slaves, to help them run away, 
which you also intend to do yourself; and, accordingly, 
the constables have been on the watch for you these two 
days. I saw your old mother to-day, who was running 
from one road to the other, to meet you, to prevent your 
coming home, lest they should catch you. Now I don't 
know what you will do, as they have advertised you, of- 
fering three hundred dollars for your arrest ; so the pa- 
trollers will be looking for you ; consequently you had 
better not stop here long. I promised your mother to 
try and see you to-night." 

He told his wife to give me something to eat, but told 
me it would not be safe for me to stay there to eat it. I 
moved slowly away, but he hastened my footsteps, as did 
the angel those of good old Lot, for surely danger was at 
my heels. 

Now my morning's feelings were fully explained. I 
knew it was the hand of God, working in my behalf ; it 
was his voice warning me to escape from the danger to- 
wards which I was hastening. Who would not praise 
such a God? Great is the Lord, and greatly to be 
praised. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 81 

I felt renewed confidence and faith, for I believed that 
God was in my favor, and now was the time to test the 
matter. About two rods from Uncle Harry^s house I 
fell upon my knees, and with hands uplifted to high 
heaven, related all the late circumstances to the Great 
King, saying that the whole world was against me with- 
out a cause, besought his protection, and solemnly prom- 
ised to serve him all the days of my life. I received a 
spiritual answer of approval ; a voice like thunder seem- 
ing to enter my soul, saying, I am your God and am with 
you ; though the whole world be against you, I am more 
than the world ; though wicked men hunt you, trust in 
me, for I am the Rock of your Defence. 

Had my pursuers then been near, they must have 
heard me, for I praised God at the top of my voice. I 
was determined to take him at his word, and risk the 
consequences. 

I retired to my hiding place in the woods until the 
next night, when I returned to Uncle Harry's, that I 
might see or hear from my mother. I found her there 
waiting for me. She had brought food in her pocket for 
me. 

I inquired if the patrollers had been there in search of 
me, and was told that they had not as yet, but would, 
doubtless, be there that night. 

My mother appeared almost heart-broken. She did 
not wish me to go away, and had been to master Richard 
about me, who had promised to inquire into the accusations 
against me, and if there was not sufficient proof to sub- 
stantiate them, they could not injure me. But he recom- 



82 

mended that I should keep out of sight for the present, 
and if he could do nothing else in mj favor, he would so 
manage, that when he was ready to go South, I could be 
got off with him. I thought this a very wise plan too, 
in case I desired to go South ; but I had fully resolved 
to go North. 

I did not, however, communicate this resolution to 
mother, as I saw she was not in a proper condition to re- 
ceive it. She promised to go again to master Richard, 
and come and let me know the result of her visit. But 
I knew I should never again see her, and that I was then 
probably taking my last look of her — this side the grave. 

Upon leaving me, she took my hand, and in a voice 
choked by sobs, gave me her parting blessing. My heart 
was so full that I could scarcely endure this, and but for 
the support of God, I must have fainted. I now return- 
ed to my hiding place, leaving word with Uncle Harry, 
where the friend who had promised to come away with 
me, might find me. 

As soon as he heard he came directly to see me, for he 
had been anxious lest I should go off without him. 



CHAP. xni. 



This friend lived about eight miles from my hiding 
place, to which he walked after his day's work was end- 
ed. He wished me to go home and stay with him until 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 83 

he was ready to leave. I was very glad to do tliis, as he 
had a secure place, where they would least expect to find 
me. We had appointed two difierent times before this to 
start, and had been disappointed ; still, his determination 
was firm to go. 

I left my old hiding place, where I had spent one com- 
fortable week, in solemn meditation and sweet commu- 
nion with God, and went home with my friend. 

He was coachman to his master, and had a room above 
the kitchen, which no one entered but himself, and where 
he concealed me. His master drove, whipped, and cloth- 
ed his slaves most unmercifully, but fed them uncom- 
monly well ; consequently, my friend was able to feed me 
well, while I was his guest, he often coming to his room 
unseen, to see if I needed any thing. 

He went one night to the neighborhood where I had 
lived, but returned with very discouraging news. Three 
hundred dollars had been ofiered for me, and I had been 
advertised in all the papers ; therefore, he thought my 
way so much hedged in, that my escape was impossible, 
and finally concluded not to try himself. I did not care 
so much for the advertisement, as for this determination 
of his, which rather discouraged me, for I knew he was 
a shrewd man, also, that his business had often taken 
him from home in difierent directions ; therefore, I thought 
he would know more of the way than myself, and I had 
accordingly, waited long for, and relied much upon, him. 
But my trust in Him who will not forsake in time of 
need, was greater ; so I resolved to try the road alone 
and abide the consequences. 



84 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

I passed most of my time in supplication to mj Great 
Conductor, until the next Friday, the time appointed for 
my departure. The most discouraging thing seemed my 
ignorance of the direction I ought to pursue. I knew 
well that dangers thickly beset the pathway, and that 
should I miss my way, it would be almost certain failure 
to inquire it of a white man ; also, that I must starve 
rather than ask one for food. 

Various were the suggestions which the enemy of 
souls continually presented to my mind, to weaken my 
trust in God ; but, like Abraham of old, I drove them 
away, still held my confidence, and prayed incessantly. 
The all-important Friday now came, and I thought it 
necessary to make one more trial, a third covenant with 
God, since it is said a threefold cord is not easily brok- 
en. So I again inquired of Him relative to this under- 
taking, and was soon spiritually convinced that He was 
still with me, and would so continue to the end of my 
journey ; so I fully and finally committed myself to his 
charge, and determined to start that night. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon my friend came 
in with the good tidings that he had changed his mind, 
and concluded to accompany me, which quite encouraged 
me, though it did not change my trust from divine to 
human aid. The evening came, and with it my friend, 
true to his promise. He said, " Come, let us be going ; 
I believe God's promise is sufficient, and I will try Him, 
and see what He will do for me. Let us trust every- 
thing to him and serve him better. If we are taken, he 
has power to provide a way for our escape.'^ 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 00 

We started about 8 o'clock in the evening. After 
travelling about three miles, we saw many horses feeding 
near the road, and concluding that four legs were better 
adapted to speed than two, we took one apiece. We went 
to a barn and took two blankets, but while hunting for 
bridles, were routed and chased some distance by the 
faithful watch dogs of the farm. Then we concluded to 
go to nature's manufactory ; so we cut grape vines, made 
for ourselves bridles, mounted our horses, and rode at 
full speed until day-break, after which we turned them 
loose, leaving them to shift for themselves, and thanking 
them for their aid to us. I think we must have travel- 
led at least forty miles that night ; yet, strange to say, 
did not meet a single person. 

The following day we travelled rapidly, and, about four 
o'clock, P. M., reached Washington city. I went to a 
store and bought a pair of shoes, and on the way met a 
colored man with whom I was acquainted, we having been- 
raised on the same farm. He inquired what wind blew 
me there at that time of year, it not being holiday time. 
I knew this man was a Christian, and therefore that it 
was safe to trust him, which is not true of all, since 
there are as many treacherous colored, as white men. I 
told him I had started for the free States, and thought to 
go to Baltimore by steamboat ; but he said that would be 
impossible. 

I asked what I should do ; to which he replied that he- 
could not tell, but pointing to a house near by, said, 
" There lives Mrs. R., a free woman, and one of God's 
true children, who has travelled there many tiines, and. 

8 



86 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

can direct you. You may depend upon what slie tells 
you/' 

I went as directed, and inquired for Mrs. R. She in- 
vited me to enter, and asked where I was from ; upon 
which I related my whole history, during the recital of 
which tears ran down her cheeks. When I ended, she 
said, " let us pray.'' We knelt before God, when such a 
prayer as I never heard from mortal lips, fell from hers. 
I felt God's presence sensibly. 

After the prayer was concluded, she gave us a very 
good dinner. I asked for pen and ink, and prepared to 
write a pass, upon which she said, " Lay aside those earth- 
ly, selfish dependencies ; God cannot work when you de- 
pend partly on self ; you must put your trust entirely in 
Him, believing him to be all-sufficient. If you will do 
this," she added, with raised hands, " I will give my 
head for a chopping block, if he does not carry you safe- 
ly through, for I never knew him to fail." 

She then gave us directions for our journey, naming 
the dangerous places which we were to avoid ; after which 
we started with renewed courage. After travelling about 
two miles we came to a bridge, upon which were many 
hands at work, under the supervision of a " boss." They 
did not address us, although they looked steadily at us, 
as if they wished to do so. 

This was a toll bridge, at which footmen paid two 
cents, but when we crossed, the toll man was in so high 
dispute with a teamster, who had just crossed, that he 
did not notice us. Thus God paid our toll. 

About a mile beyond this, we came to a place where 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 87 

were several Irishmen quarrying stone. They stopped 
work as we approached, looked hard at us, and I heard 
them say, " Here come two negroes who look like runa- 
ways ; we can make a penny apiece off them, let's take 
them up.'' This was a trying time, and exercised all the 
faith of which we were possessed. But faith is the sub- 
stance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things 
not seen ; by it the elders obtained a good report. 

But notwithstanding the suggestions of these men and 
our passing near them, still they did not molest us, al- 
though they followed us with their eyes, as far as they 
could see us. This was another Ebenezer for us to raise, 
in token of God's deliverance ; so when we were out of 
their sight, we knelt and offered up our thanksgiving to 
God for this great salvation. 

Three miles farther on we passed a village tavern, at 
the door of which stood a stage coach loaded with pas- 
sengers, of the driver of which we inquired the way to 
a certain town. We had travelled about a mile in the 
direction he designated, when we saw two horsemen fol- 
lowing us, in great haste. We suspected they were in 
pursuit of us, but as there were no woods near, saw no 
means of escape. 

As they came up they said, " Boys, where are you go- 
ing ?" We named the town which was about three miles 
distant. " You will not get there to-night," said one. 
" No, sir, we don't expect it,'' I answered. 

They kept along with us for about a mile. I soon sus- 
pected their object was to arrest us, that they dared not 
attempt it alone, but that they hoped to meet some one 



88 LIFE OF JOHIT THOMPSON, 

wlio would assist them. One of them entered a tavern, 
which we passed, but finding no help there, came out and 
continued on with us. 

After awhile one of them rode on ahead of us, when 
the other tried to check him bj saying, " We must not go 
so fast, thej wiP take another road." This verified our 
suspicions that they were after us. 

Mj companion began to complain that it was now a 
gone case with us, and said he wished he had not come. 
I reproved him for this faithlessness ; told him if this 
was his course of procedure, that we should soon be tak- 
en up, and reminded him of his promise to trust in God, 
let danger assume whatever shape it might. I told him 
my confidence remained unshaken, that I had no reason 
at all to doubt. Upon this he braved up, and went on 
cheerfully. 

When we approached the town of E-ockville, our unde- 
sirable companions road off at full speed, thinking, doubt- 
less, that we should be foolish enough to follow. AVe 
thought it wisest, however, as soon as they were out of 
sight, to take the woods until night. But whilst resting 
under the bushes, we observed two boys approaching, 
one black the other white. The latter exclaimed at once, 
-' There are two runaways, I will go and tell my father." 

The boys went directly to a man who was near by 
ploughing, and informed against us. We saw that to re- 
main there would be unsafe, so we resumed our journey. 
As we stood on a hill near Rockville, we could look down 
into the village, where we saw many people, apparently 
awaiting our arrival ; therefore we presumed the two 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 89 

horsemen had only gone ahead to prepare for our recep- 
tion. 

We saw a colored man near by, of whom we inquired 
what course we could take to go around the village ; but 
he would give us no information whatever. So we decid- 
ed that our best way was to venture directly through the 
town, and had started to do so, when a colored man, who 
was driving a wood team, seeing that we were strangers, 
and guessing we were runaways, came near and said to 
us, *' I see you are strangers, and I hope you will excuse 
my boldness in addressing you. I wish to say, that you 
had best not go through the village, unless you have the 
necessary papers. Whether you have such documents 
you best know. No colored man can pass here, without 
being subjected to a close examination.'' 

We thanked him, and gave him to understand that we 
felt our cases to be nearly desperate, and wished him to 
tell us the best way to go around the town. He kindly 
told us, and we started to follow his directions, which 
were to go through the woods and enter the main road 
again, on the other side of the town. 

But we had proceeded but a little way into the wood, 
when, to our surprise, we saw coming towards us, down 
the road, a great number of men, some on foot, others on 
horses, who had probably seen us as we left the road for 
the wood. We fell back farther into the woods, but it 
being large timber, with few bushes, we had little chance 
of concealment, and were truly in a bad fix. 

We at last found an old tree, which had fallen so that 
the trunk was supported by the limbs about two feet from 

o8 



90 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

the ground. Under this we crawled and lay flat upon 
our faces, as being the safest place we could find, and lit- 
tle safety there seemed to me in this, for I thought a man 
a hundred yards off might have seen us, with half an 
eye. 

We saw the huntsmen and their dogs within ten yards 
of us, and even heard them say, " They must be near 
this place I'^ We lay still, and held God to his promise, 
though when danger came so near, our hopes began to 
vanish, and like Israel we began to mourn. But stand 
still and see the salvation of God, which he will show 
thee to-day. 

Presently one man said, " I think they have gone farth- 
er into the woods. There is no place of concealment 
here, and besides the dogs would find them.'' Oh, fool- 
ish man ! God bestowed their senses and he can take 
them away. lie can touch one nerve of the brain, and 
directly their understanding is lost. 

They finally went farther into the woods, listening to 
their dogs, who seemed as anxious as their masters, to 
find us ; but they could not hit upon the right trail. 
We remained under the friendly tree from five in the af- 
ternoon until ten in the evening ; when, thinking all was 
safe, after returning God our thanks, we left our hiding 
place, and pursued our journey, determining to travel 
hereafter no more by day. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE, 91 

CHAP. XIV. 

About three miles farther on we discovered two horses 
saddled, standing tied in the wood near the road, which, 
we soon discovered, wd^-e the same upon which the men 
rode who had overtaken us before we reached Rockville. 
We knew them by the pieces of buffalo skin on their sad- 
dles. Their riders had evidently left them and conceal- 
ed themselves near by, to watch the road, thinking we 
should leave our hiding places after dark, and resume 
our journey. 

Upon making this discovery we entered a rye field, 
through which we passed, still keeping the road in sight. 
Thus we went on for two or three hours, through fields, 
bushes and swamps, until worn out with fatigue and hun- 
ger, we were forced to lie down to rest. Here we soon 
fell asleep, and did not awake until day-light. It was 
now Sunday. After praying we resumed our journey, 
taking the road. 

Uncertain ourselves whether we were in the right or 
wrong way, we could only trust to the guidance of the 
Great Pilot as we travelled onward, and when we were 
hungry we prayed for spiritual food, which seemed to 
strengthen and fill us. 

We now saw a colored man sitting upon the fence, 
about a mile from us, whom we approached, when he im- 
mediately accosted us in these words : " Good morning, 
my friends, I have been sitting here for about an hour, 
unable to move with all the effort I could make, when I 
ought to have been at home, (as I am a coachman,) pre- 



92 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

paring my horses and carriage to take the people to 
church. I now feel why I have been thus forced against 
my will to remain here ; it is that I may help you. And 
now tell me what I can do for you, for as God liveth I 
will do it if possible/' 

We told him that we had been travelling since Friday, 
without any food, and were now nearly famishing. Point- 
ing to a farmer's house, he said, " Go there and inquire 
for my wife ; tell her I sent you that she might give you 
something to eat. She- is the cook for the farm. 

AYe thanked him, and started to follow his directions. 
Upon reaching the house, we saw the overseer standing 
in the yard, who scrutinized us very closely and sus- 
piciously. Nevertheless we inquired for the cook, who 
soon made her appearance, when we did our errand ; and 
although she quickly answered, *'I don't see why he 
should send you here, for I have nothing for you to eat, 
and he knows it ;" still, we could see that we had awak- 
ened her sympathy, and that she only answered thus in- 
differently because of the overseer. 

He, however, told her to give us some breakfast ; upon 
which she took us into the kitchen, while he started in- 
stantly to get help to take us. The cook suspected as 
much, and told us so, and the slaves immediately conceal- 
ed us very carefully. Soon the overseer returned with 
his help, and inquired for us, when the slaves told him 
that we went away soon after he did. He inquired in 
what direction, and when they had told him, he started 
off in hot haste in pursuit. 

The slaves expressed great astonishment that we had 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 93 

come so far without getting taken up, but told us to keep 
still, and thej would take care of us. At night a free 
colored man took us through unfrequented paths, to es- 
cape the vigilance of the overseer, until we reached Fred- 
ericktown, when he said he could go no further, as, if we 
were taken and he found in our company, it would ruin 
him. Moreover, he was fearful we could not get through 
the town, as no colored man was allowed to pass through 
after nightfall. Therefore, to avoid creating suspicion 
and being arrested, we decided to part company for the 
present, I to go through the town on one side, and my 
companion on the other. 

Before parting from our kind conductor, we knelt down 
and besought God to conduct us on our way, and shield 
us from all harm ; and again we made a mutual promise, 
to place all our trust in divine strength. We saw many 
people as we passed through the town, none of whom no- 
ticed us, until we were about to leave it, when we per- 
ceived a large and noisy crowd, apparently intoxicated, 
coming towards us. 

We left the road until they had passed, when we again 
resumed our journey together. We soon came to a fork 
in the roads, when, not knowing which to take, we pulled 
down a guideboard and ascertained ; after which we went 
on until daybreak, when we took shelter in the woods 
during the day on Monday. 

The following night we travelled without interruption, 
and on Tuesday lay all day concealed in a rye field. 
We travelled Tuesday night until within five miles of 
Baltimore, when we missed our way. Here again we had 



94 

an instance of God's care for us, for had the niglit been 
one hour longer, we should probably have reached Balti- 
more, and been taken. 

But, early in the morning we met a colored man, who, 
as we hesitated to answer him when he asked where we 
were going, said we need not fear him, as he was friend- 
ly, and would not hurt a hair of our heads. Thus as- 
sured we revealed to him our secret, when he exclaimed, 
" My friends, you are running directly to destruction ! 
Th.at is the road to Baltimore, which is but five miles dis- 
tant, where you will certainly fall into the hands of your 
enemies, who are on the sharp lookout for all such chances, 
therefore you had best take a different route." 

"We were truly alarmed, for day now broke suddenly 
and unexpectedly upon us, from a hitherto dark and cloudy 
sky. We knew not what to do, as there was no forest 
large enough in sight, in which to conceal ourselves, so 
we besought our new friend to direct us, which he did by 
pointing out to us a poor, dismal looking old frame in a 
small wood, occupied by a free colored man. 

Thither we went, and were kindly received by the 
man's family, who gave us food, of which we were in 
great need. My feet and ankles were so much swollen, 
that we found it necessary to remain here two days, 
about which we felt many misgivings since the man was 
often intoxicated, when he was very communicative, and 
I feared he might unintentionally, if in no other way, be- 
tray us, for I knew no dependence could be placed on a 
drunken man. 

Friday night we started again, the man having told us 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 95 

what route to take ; and that when we reached the Sus- 
quehanna, we should have no other means of crossing 
but to steal a boat for that purpose. The next day as 
we lay concealed near the road, under the bushes, we 
could hear the people converse as they passed. 

We finally concluded not to go on this way any farth- 
er, as the chance of stealing a boat was a very hazardous 
one, but to return to the place from whence we last start- 
ed, and see if we could not obtain some better instruc- 
tions. On our way back, we passed a house from which 
a man hailed us with, " Hallo, boys, where are you go- 
ing ? stop awhile.'' I said we were going home, and had 
no time to stop. This was about midnight. 

As we heard him call his dogs, we left the road and 
went through the wheat fields to the woods, where we 
soon heard him pass at full speed, with his dogs. We 
hastened to our friend's house, but he advised us not to 
lose a moment in making our way ofi", as they would 
most likely come to search his house, knowing him to be 
a free man. He directed us by another route, which was 
a very dangerous one, ' being watched constantly to the 
borders of Pennsylvania"; but told us to go to another 
free colored man, six miles distant, who could perhaps 
direct us better. 

He cautioned us about passing a house, which he care- 
fully described to us, in which lived a negro buyer, who 
watched to catch runaways. But, notwithstanding his 
caution, we unluckily found ourselves almost at the door 
of his house, before we were aware of it. We however 
passed it unperceived. 

Early next morning we arrived at the house to which 



96 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSOX, 

we liacl been directed, and called up the owner. As soon 
as I heard him speak, I knew him to be a man of God, 
for his words betrayed him. He called his wife to come 
quickly and prepare food, for two wayworn and hungry 
travellers, which she hastened to do. Now, who told this 
man of our necessities ? for we had not. But never re- 
fuse to entertain strangers, for some have thus entertain- 
ed angels unawares. 

When the table was spread ready for breakfast, the 
old man approaching the throne of grace, with eyes 
uplifted towards heaven, repeated the following hymn, 
which the whole family joined in singing : — 

" And are we yet alive ? 
See we cacli other's face ? 
Glory and praise to Jesus give, 
For his redeeming grace. 
Preserved by power divine, 
To full salvation here ; 
Again in Jesus' praise we join, 
And in his sight appear. 
What troubles have we seen, 
What conflicts have we passed? 
Dangers without and fears within ? 
Since we assembled last. 
But out of all the Lord 
Hath brought us by his love ; 
And still he doth his help afford, 
And hides our lives above." 

While they were singing, the mighty power of God 
filled my frame like electricity, so that whereas I had 
before been hungry and weak, I now felt the strength of 
a giant ; I tould no longer restrain my feelings. 

This was Sunday morning, and the family started soon 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 97 

after breakfast for the Methodist church, which was three 
miles distant, taking my friend and leaving me locked up 
in the house, for my limbs were so swollen that it was 
deemed advisable that I should rest during the day. 
Four others accompanied them on their return, towards 
one of whom my heart leaped for joy as soon as I saw 
him, for I felt that he was a servant of the Most High. 
He instantly grasped my hand, saying, " Have you faith 
in the Lord Jesus Christ?'' I answered in the affirma- 
tive, when he continued, " Well, God has brought you 
thus far, and he will conduct you safely to the land of 
freedom.'' 

After dinner and a round of prayers, we started on 
our way, these friends accompanying us. We were sup- 
posed to be some of their neighbors, whom, having been 
with them to church, they were accompanying home- 
ward. They continued with us until dark, taking us 
through fields and by-paths. When they left us, they 
said we were within two nights' travel of the Pennsyl- 
vania line, but cautioned us against one dangerous place-r 
which having passed, we should probably have little more 
to fear. 

This was a large two storied white house standing near 
the road, about two rods from which stood a barn thatch- 
ed with rye straw. The owner's business was to catch 
slaves, for which purpose he kept well trained dogs, who 
having once got on our track, would follow for miles, and 
the master would shoot us if we did not surrender, there- 
fore we should be careful to avoid this place, in particu- 
lar. 

9 



98 LITE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

Our friends left us, and we went on, but before we 
knew it we had passed the barn, and were near the house. 
As soon as we perceived our mistake, we took to the 
fields. Everything was still about the house, until I, in 
attempting to get over a fence, broke down, when I made 
so much noise as to rouse the dogs, which presently began 
to bark. This brought out the master, who tried to urge 
them on, but, strange to say, though they ran to and fro, 
they could not strike our trail. 

We did not venture into the public road again that 
night. The next day we lay by, and at eight o'clock in 
the evening again started, hoping to reach port before 
morning. 

Our friends had told us, that when we reached the Bal- 
timore turnpike, leading into Pennsylvania, that we were 
then over the line. About three o'clock in the morning 
we came to a shanty, on the edge of a wood, so small 
and mean that I thought no person inhabiting it would 
have the courage to attempt our arrest. My friend ob- 
jected to going to the house, but I wanted to inquire the 
way, having got somewhat bewildered. So I went 
and knocked at the door, until a surly voice called out, 
"Who's there?" "A friend," I answered. "What 
does the friend want ?" he inquired. " To know if he is 
on the direct road to the Baltimore turnpike, and how 
far it is there," I said. " Yes, go on, it is about half a 
mile," he said, in a voice which plainly denoted that he 
did not wish to be disturbed by night rovers, though a 
price of three hundred dollars was on the head of the 
one then at his door. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 99 

We pursued our course, and shortly came to the mlich 
desired turnpike, when we clasped glad hands, and went 
on the next mile or two, rejoicing and praising God for 
this deliverance. We now imagined ourselves out of 
danger, but were mistaken, for after passing York we 
came to a village called Berlin, where we were attacked 
bv a Dutchman, who came running out of a carpenter's 
shop and grasped me by the shoulder, at the same time 
muttering over some lingo, wholly incomprehensible to 
me. 

But I looked at him so furiously, at the same time 
thrusting my hand into my pocket, as if after some 
weapon of defence, that he became so frightened as to 
loose his grasp, and run backwards as if his life was in 
danger. I followed him to the great amusement of the 
by-standers, who were looking on to see him take me. 

I supposed my companion was close by, but when I 
turned round I saw him about six rods distant, walking 
off at a rapid speed, and leaving me to do the best I could 
alone. This cowardice somewhat enraged me, but when 
I overtook him he so excused himself that I forgave him, 
knowing that his spirit was willing, but his flesh was 
weak. 



100 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

CHAP. xy. 

We at last reached Columbia, Pennsylvania, where we 
intended to stop and hire out to work. But the people 
advised us to go on farther, as already there were two 
slave hunters in the place in pursuit of two fugitives, 
whom they had traced to that place. Accordingly we 
started again the following night, and after travelling 
about ten miles, reached the house of an elderly quaker, 
who offered us a home with him until he could get places 
for us. These he soon procured, and we went to work ; 
and oh, how sweet the reflection that I was working for 
myself. We remained here about six months, when we 
were again routed by the arrival of slave hunters, who 
had already taken two women and some children, and 
were in pursuit of other fugitives. In consequence of 
this, many of the colored people were leaving this for 
safer parts of the country ; so we concluded to go to- 
Philadelphia. 

I went first, and my friend soon followed. We had 
not been there many days, before he was met and recog- 
nized by a lady, in Chestnut Street ; but he feigned 
ignorance of her, and did not answer when she addressed 
him. He came directly and told me of the affair, which 
at first gave me great alarm, but as we heard nothing 
more from her, our fears gradually subsided. 

My friend soon married, and not long after moved to 
Massachusetts, whither he was driven by one day seeing 
his old master in one of the streets of Philadelphia, peer- 
ing into the face of every colored man who happened to 
pass. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 101 

I soon got into bad company, and forgot tlie goodness 
of that Being who had shown me so much kindness, who 
had stuck by me closer than a brother, through all mj 
wanderings, and who had finally brought me from bond- 
age to a land of freedom. I often now reflect upon my 
ungratefulness towards him. 

One nigiit, while returning from my day's labor, I fell 
into meditation upon the past blessings of God to me. 
When I reached home I looked in the Bible to find some- 
thing applicable to my case, when I, almost immediately, 
opened at Luke's Gospel, loth chapter and 18th verse, 
" I will arise and go to my father." 

I felt a heavy load resting upon my heart ; I felt as if 
I had neglected the Saviour, and God had forever with- 
drawn his spirit from me. I knelt in prayer, and like 
Jacob, wrestled manfully. I continued in this state six 
weeks, until the meeting of the Methodist Conference, 
which took place in the Bethel Church, in Philadelphia. 
When it commenced I was sick, and had been confined to 
my bed two weeks. I heard people talk of the great re- 
vival, and of the excellent preaching they were having, 
and though I was then confined to my bed by sickness, 
and the rain was falling fast, still I was resolved to go to 
church, for I felt that my soul was at stake, and I did 
go, notwithstanding friends tried to prevail on me to re- 
main at home. 

I took my seat in a dark corner of the church, while 

the congregation were singing for their own amusement. 

Presently a tall man entered, went into the pulpit, and 

read the following hymn : 

09 



102 LITE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

" Hark, my soul ! it is the Lord ; 
It is the Saviour, hear his word ; 
Jesus speaks, he speaks to thee, 
He says, poor sinner, love thou me. 

I delivered thee when bound, 
And when wounded healed thy wound : 
Sought thee wandering, set thee right. 
Turned thy darkness into light. 

Can a woman's tender care 
Cease towards the child she bare ? 
Yes, she may forgetful be. 
But I will remember thee." 



He lined the hymn so that all could sing, during which 
he often called the attention of the congregation to the 
sentiment, to all which I paid great attention, for my 
mind was forcibly carried back to the state of bondage 
from which I had just escaped, and the many manifesta- 
tions of God's mercies to me throughout the journey. 
The hymn was not sung by wood or brass, but by mortal 
tongues, w^hich were more charming in their harmony 
than ten thousand stringed instruments. This hymn was 
so precisely suited to my case that I began to feel much 
better. 

The preacher, Rev. Josiah Gilbert, of Baltimore, then 
arose, taking for his text, "0, praise the Lord, for He is 
good, and His mercies endure forever.^' Never before 
nor since have I heard such a sermon. The load was re- 
moved from my heart, and I found myself standing up 
in the church, praising God, for it seemed to me a heaven 
upon earth to my soul. 

I felt nothing more of my sickness, and next day went 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 103 

to my work, tending for brick-layers. The following 
night, at the meeting the question was put if any person 
wished to join the church. No person went about among 
the crowd to drag others to the altar, or to force them to 
say they had religion, when they had none ; yet one hun- 
dred and twenty, like noble volunteers, forced their way 
to the altar, and gave in their names, shouting the prais- 
es of Immanuel's God, while the preacher was recording 
them. 

I joined the church that same night. 0, memorable 
night ! Would that I could bring thee back, that I might 
live thee over again ! But thou art gone, and I can on- 
ly live over thy blessings in memory. But they will not 
so flee. 

I married the same year, and for a time everything 
seemed to go on well. God gave me a companion who 
loved Him, and we soon had a family altar in our lowly 
habitation. Sickness and sorrow however came. Sever- 
al slaves near by were arrested and taken to the South, 
so I finally concluded best for me to go to sea, and ac- 
cordingly removed to New York city for that purpose. 



Many of my friends have expressed a curiosity to 
learn how I, being a slave, obtained an education ; to grat- 
ify which I will now relate some incidents in my past 
life, which I have not done in the foregoing pages. 

When about eight years of age, I was -sent to the 
school house with the white children, to carry their din- 



104 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON. 

ners, it "being a distance of two miles, and therefore too 
far for them to go home for them. There were two of 
these children relatives of my master, whose father had 
once been rich, but who, through misfortune, left his chil- 
dren almost penniless at his decease. 

Little Henry, one of the children, was one morning, 
while walking leisurely to school, repeating over his les- 
son, when I said to him, " How I would like to read like 
you.'' " Would you ?" said he, " Then I will learn you.'' 
I told him, if his Uncle knew it, he would forbid it. 

"I know it," he answered, " But I will not tell him ; 
for he would then stop you from going with me, and I 
would have to carry my own dinners I" Thereupon we 
made a mutual promise to reveal our secret to no person. 

Henry was about my own age, being the elder of the 
two children ; his sister, Jane, being about five years old. 
He commenced teaching me from his book my letters. 
We sometimes started an hour or two before school time, 
that we might have more leisure for our undertaking. 
We had a piece of woods to pass on our w^ay, which also 
facilitated the practical operation of our plans, as we 
could, by going into them, escape the observation of the 
other school children, or of passers by in the road. We 
even sometimes took Jane to the school house, leaving 
her to play with the other children, while w^e returned to 
our school in the woods, until the school bell rang. 

I made such rapid progress that Henry was encourag- 
ed and delighted. When my father knew of the matter, 
he gave Henry some money with which to purchase me a 
book, which he did of one of the scholars, who, being ad- 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 105 

vanced into a higher lesson, had no longer use for this 
book. 

I now lost no time, but studied my lessons every leis- 
ure moment, at all convenient times. I went thus with 
the children to school about three years, when I became 
the body servant of John Wagar, and had to give my at- 
tention to him and his horse. 

John being six miles from home, at a boarding school, 
was only at home from Saturdays until Mondays. Dur- 
ing his absence I had to attend to his pony, and do small 
jobs about the house, which did not prevent my continu- 
ing my studies, although my opportunities to do so were 
not now as good as formerly ; still, my little teacher im- 
proved every chance that offered of giving his instruc- 
tions. 

I soon got through my first book, Webster's Spelling 
Book, after which Henry bought me the Introduction to 
the English Reader. He also commenced setting me cop- 
ies, as he thought it time I was commencing to write, 
though he still kept me at reading until I had nearly 
completed my second book, when our school was broken 
up by the return of John Wagar from the boarding 
school, he having completed his education. 

John, whose father was very rich, hardly treated Hen- 
ry, a poor orphan boy, with common courtesy or decency, 
and was unwilling even to sit and eat with him at table. 
Mrs. Ashton, Henry's mother, noticed this conduct of 
John's, and also that his father sided with him in all his 
complaints against Henry, and knowing the cause she 
did not wish longer to remain where she was ; so she. 



106 

with the children, removed to Alexandria, where Henry 
is now doing a large dry goods business, in which, by 
honesty and skill, he has accumulated considerable 
wealth. 

When Henry was about to leave the plantation, he 
said to me, " I am sorry, John, that I cannot teach you 
longer, as I had intended to learn you through the Eng- 
lish Reader, and also to write a good hand. But you 
must not forget what you have learned, and try to im- 
prove what you can by yourself.'^ 

This parting filled my heart with sorrow, for I loved 
Henry Ashton like a brother. I followed him with my 
eyes until distance closed the view ; and my aficctionate 
prayers and good wishes always have, and always will, 
follow him, for to him I owe the rudiments of one of my 
greatest blessings, my education. Through this I have 
been enabled to read the Word of God, and thereby learn 
the way of salvation ; and though I could never repay 
these services, yet God has doubly paid him, for before I 
left Maryland his name ranked among the most respect- 
able and wealthy of country merchants. 

After this I continued to read and write at every oppor- 
tunity, often carrying my book in my hat, that I might 
lose no chance of using it. When I was with Richard 
Thomas, in the south part of the State, I became ac- 
quainted with a poor Englishman, who lived near the 
plantation. He, sesing my strong desire to learn, propos- 
ed to instruct me, after exacting from me a promise of 
secrecy in the matter. He continued to teach me from 
the first of March until the October following, when he 
and his daughter, (his whole family,) died. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 107 

After that I had no teacher until I went to Philadel- 
phia, where I attended evening schools during the win- 
ters of my stay in that city. 



CHAP. XVI. 
VOYAGE TO THE INDIAN OCEAN. 

When I reached New York, in consequence of my in- 
experience I could get no berth on shipboard, as they 
only wanted to employ able seamen, so I was advised to 
go to New Bedford, where green hands were more want- 
ed, and where, I was told, I could go free of expense. 

Accordingly, next morning, in care of an agent, I 
started on board a vessel bound for that port. When I 
arrived there, I was told I could only go before the mast 
as a raw hand, as a great responsibility rested upon the 
cook, or steward, of a whaling vessel, bound upon a long 
voyage, one of which places I preferred and solicited. 

I soon saw there was no chance for me with that mas- 
ter, so I went to the office of Mr. Gideon Allen, who was 
fitting out a ship for sea, and wanted both cook and stew- 
ard. I approached him with much boldness, and asked 
if he would like to employ a good steward, to which he 
replied in the affirmative, asking me at the same time if 
I was one. 

I told him I thought I was. So, without much parley- 



108 LIFE OF JOHX THOMPSON, 

ing we agi'eed upon the price, when he took me clown to 
the vessel, gave to my charge the keys of the cabin, and 
I went to work as well as I knew how. 

The following day the Captain, Mr. Aaron C. Luce, 
come on hoard with Mr. Allen, who introduced me to 
him as the captain of the ship, with whom I was going 
to sea. The captain looked at me very suspiciously, as 
much as to say, }ou know nothing of the duties of the 
office you now fill 

At the house where I boarded was a cook, who, in con- 
sequence of deformed feet, could not obtain a berth, as 
the captains and ship owners thought he would thereby 
be disenabled for going aloft when necessity required it. 
This man told me that if I would get him a place as 
cook, he could and would give me all needful instruction 
in reference to my office. 

I was pleased with an offisr which promised so well for 
me, and accordingly recommended him to Mr. Allen for 
cook, who, supposing I knew the man, and that all was 
right, hired him. 

The Milwood, on which we were to sail, was a splen- 
did vessel, called a three boat ship. She was arranged 
to carry 3500 bbls. of oil, with a crew numbering twen- 
ty-five hands, with four principal officers, captain and 
three mates, and three boatswains, who are termed sub- 
ordinate officers. All things being in readiness, the hands 
were summoned on board, when, at the pilot's command, 
she was loosed from her moorings at the dock, floated out 
of the harbor, and with well filled sails, stood out to sea. 

The thoughts of the voyage and of the responsibilities 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. . 109 

which I had taken upon myself, were anything but pleas- 
ant. I knew that I was wholly ignorant of a steward^s 
duties, and consequently expected to incur the captain's. 
just displeasure for my assurance and imposition, since at 
sea every man is expected to know his own duty, and fill 
his own station, without begging aid from others. But 
again I reflected that God was all sufficient, at sea as 
well as upon the land, so I put my trust in him, fully 
confident that he would bring me out more than victori- 
ous. 

As I bid my family farewell, and left the American 
shore, I thought over the following lines ; 

Jesus, at thy command, 

I launch into the deep ; 
And leave my native land. 
Where sin lulls all to sleep. 
For Ihee I would this world resign, 
And sail to Heaven with thee and thine. 

Thou art my pilot, wise ; 

My compass is thy word ; 
My soul each storm defies, 
Whilst I have such a Lord. 
I trust his faithfulness and power, 
To save me in a trying hour. 

Though rocks and quicksands deep, 

Through all my passage lie ; 
Yet Christ will safely keep, 
And guide me with his eye. 
My anchor, hope, shall firm abide, 
And everlasting storms outride. 

Soon after the pilot left us I became very sea sick, 
and unable to attend to my duties, which, consequently, 
all devolved upon the cook, he having promised to assist 

10 



110 LIFE or JOHN THOMPSON, 

me. But of this he soon grew tired, and complained to 
the captain, hoping to get my place ; so he told him I 
was a greenhorn, had never been to sea before, and knew 
nothing of a steward's office. 

The captain, who had been deceived by my sickness, 
now came into the cabin very angry, and said to me, 
" What is the matter with you ?'' I told him I was 
sick. 

" Have you ever been at sea before ?'' he asked. I 
told him I never had, upon which he asked how I came 
to ship as steward ? I answered, *' I am a fugitive slave 
from Maryland, and have a family in Philadelphia ; but 
fearing to remain there any longer, I thought I would go 
a whaling voyage, as being the place where I stood least 
chance of being arrested by slave hunters. I had be- 
come somewhat experienced in cooking by working in 
hotels, inasmuch that I thought I could fill the place of 
steward. '^ 

This narrative seemed to touch his heart, for his coun- 
tenance at once assumed a pleasing expression. Thus 
God stood between me and him, and worked in my de- 
fence. 

He told me that had circumstances been different, he 
should have flogged me for my imposition ; but now bade 
me go on deck, where I could inhale the fresh air, and I 
should soon be well. I did so and soon recovered. 

The captain became as kind as a father to me, often 
going with me to the cabin, and when no one was pres- 
ent, teaching me to make pastries and sea messes. He 
had a cook book, from which I gained much valuable in- 
formation. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. Ill 

I was soon able to fulfill my duty to the gratification 
and satisfaction of the captain, though much to the sur- 
prise of the whole crew, who, knowing J was a raw hand, 
w^ondered how I had so soon learned my business. But 
I could never suit the mate, do the best I could, 
for he wanted me put before the mast, and for more than 
four months kept a grudge against me. The cook also, 
disappointed in not getting my place, often complained 
of me to my enemy, the mate. And not satisfied with 
this, he had the baseness to forbid my going to the gal- 
ley to look after my cooking, and it was often spoiled. 
But I bore all with patience, as I knew that I had two 
good friends, in the captain and God. This trouble was, 
however, soon removed, for the cook was taken sick be- 
fore we reached Fayal, where he was left in charge of the 
American Consul, to be sent home. 

When we had been about three weeks out, we captured 
a sperm whale, which furnished eighty-five bbls. of oil, 
which we sent home from Fayal, where we remained just 
long enough to discharge the oil, and take on board a 
fresh supply of water and vegetables, which required 
about three days. 

Shortly after leaving this place, while the captain was 
aloft one day, the mate became so much exasperated with 
me as to beat me. He took hold of me, whereupon I 
threw him down, but did not strike him. Upon entering 
the cabin, the captain found me in tears, and inquired 
the cause. I told him that, do the best I could, I was 
unable to please the mate, who had been beating me now, 
for no cause of which I was conscious. He told me to 



112 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

do my duty to the best of my ability, and be would take 
care of the rest. 

He then went upon deck, and inquired of the mate of 
what I was guilty deserving a flogging ; who replied that 
I was unfit to be in the cabin, and ought to be before the 
mast ; that I was too much of a gentleman to be at sea. 
Whereupon the captain told him not to lay a finger upon 
me again, for I was his steward, and the mate had no 
control over me, which he wished him, the mate, to plain- 
ly understand. The captain allowed I was green enough, 
but said that I was willing to do the best I knew ; that 
when the mate first went to sea, he was as green as I 
was, and that every man must have a chance to learn be- 
fore he could do his duty. 

The mate accused the captain of partiality to me, up- 
on which the captain gave him to understand that he 
was master of the vessel, and should treat each man as 
he deserved, from the mate to the cook. After this I 
soon fell in favor with the mate and all the crew. The 
mate was a resolute man, and a good whaleman. Being 
steward I was not obliged to go in the boats for whales 
unless I chose, or unless some one of the hands was un- 
able to go, whose place I was to fill, of necessity. ' 

The manner of arranging the boats in a ship of this 
character, is as follows : Three boats, ready fitted, are 
kept swinging in the cranes alongside the ship ; these 
are called the starboard, larboard and waist boats. Each 
is manned by six men, including the officer, and each has 
its regular crew. The captain commands the starboard, 
the first mate the larboard, and the second mate the 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. ^ 113 

waist boat. The third mate commands the captain's 
boat, when the latter does not go. 

Each boat carries five oars, the officer steering, while 
the harpooner, who is termed the boatswain, rows the 
bow oar, until the whale is fastened with the harpoon, 
which operation is performed by this person. This being 
done, the boatsteerer goes aft and takes the officer's place, 
while that person goes forward to kill the whale ; which 
is done with a sharp spear, about six feet long, called a 
lance. 

The harpoon is sharp, and barbed at one end, so that 
when it has once entered the animal, it is difficult to draw 
it out again, and has attached to its other end a pole, 
two inches thick and five feet long. Attached to this is 
a line 75 or 100 fathoms in length, which is coiled into 
the bow of the boat. Sometimes these lines have two 
harpoons attached, so that if one misses the whale, an- 
other can be ready to take effect, before the creature is 
beyond their reach. The lance i^ fixed to a line in a 
similar manner, by which it may be drawn out of the 
animal, as it is repeatedly thrust into him, until he is 
killed by bleeding to death ; a process sometimes requir- 
ing two or three hours for its completion. 

The boats remain beside the dead animal until the 
ships come to them, for they are generally unable to tow 
him to the ship, in consequence of his great weight. 
When brought alongside the vessel, a chain, called the 
fluke chain, is fastened around his tail, which is towards 
the bow of the vessel, by which means he is made secure 
to it. From his carcass are then cut large junks of oily 

10- 



114 < LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

substance, called blubber, whicb is from twelve to eigb- 
teen inches in thickness, and is the onlj fleshy part of 
any value. These junks are hoisted upon deck, and 
placed in cauldron kettles, that the oil may be tried and 
pressed from them ; after which, the refuse is thrown 
upon the fire and used for fuel. 

There are five different kinds of whale : the sperm, 
the right, the humpback, the finback, and the sulphur 
bottom, of which but three are much caught, the sperm, 
the right and the humpback. The first is found in warm 
climates, the last in temperate, but the right in cold. 
Two men are generally placed aloft as '' lookouts," while 
the ship is cruising for whales, which may often bo seen 
at a distance of two miles, usually by their spouting, 
which is sometimes repeated as often as every half min- 
ute. The whale can neither stay long above nor below 
the water, without changing. 

When the whale is discovered, the signal is given to 
the captain, or the officer upon the deck watch, in the 
following manner : The man aloft says, " There she 
blows.'' The officer inquires " Where away ?" " Two 
points of the weather beam, sir," is the reply, or what- 
ever direction the animal may be. This signal is repeat- 
ed every time the whale spouts, until the officer goes 
aloft, to determine of what kind the animal is. 

Part of the crew are always on the watch, while the 
others are asleep below. Orders are now given to call all 
hands on deck, which being done, each boat's crew sta- 
tions itself by its boat, until orders are given for lower- 
ing them away. When within reach of the whale, the 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 115 

officer in command gives orders for the harpooner to 
throw his instrument, which he does until the animal is 
fastened. The whale can only he killed hy lancing him 
under the fin, which is the work of much skill and prac- 
tice. 

The whale is a monster, terrible in his fury, but harm- 
less when left alone ; able to shiver the boat in atoms by 
one stroke of his tail, and when in agony roaring like a 
lion in the forest. Hence the officer in the boat should 
have as much skill in the art of whaling, as a military 
commander in the art of warfare, since the safety of the 
crew rests with him. 



CHAP. XVII. 



After leaving Fayal, we sailed for St. Paul's Island, 
stopping a short time at the Cape de Yerdes, where right 
whales were said to be numerous. We had pleasant 
weather for about three weeks. 

One day, while standing upon the deck, looking upon 
the broad expanse of waters spread out around me, and 
meditating upon the works of the Omnipotent and Om- 
niscient Deity, my soul was suddenly so filled with the 
Holy Ghost, that I exclaimed aloud, " Glory to God and 
the Lamb forever !'' I continued in this strain until 
captain Luce, coming unexpectedly behind me, asked 
what was the matter with me ? I told him my soul had 
caught new fire from the burning altar of God, until I 
felt happy, soul and body. 



116 LIFE OE JOHX THOMPSON, 

Directly he commenced cracking jokes at me, but I 
soon left bis presence and returned to the cabin, where I 
could be, for a while, alone, and where I could obtain 
spiritual strength to enable me to stand before wicked 
men. There is no better time to pray, than when God 
is ready to answer ; when he stands knocking at the door 
of our hearts, pleading for entrance. He works upon 
our right hand and our left, and we perceive him not. 

The captain, being in a very pleasant mood, one day, 
came into the cabin, and asked me if I ever prayed for 
him ? to which I replied I did. " Do you think that 
your prayer is answered ?" he asked, " for I don't. I don't 
think they ascend higher than the foreyard." I told him 
that bread cast upon the waters, was sometimes found 
and gathered after many days. He laughingly asked me 
if I prayed that the ship might get a load of oil? I 
told him I always prayed for the blessing of God on the 
ship in general. He said if he had to go home without a 
load of oil, which he expected to do, that he should call 
me a hypocrite. 

While he was talking, the man on the lookout cried 
out, " There she blows," upon which he ran upon deck, 
and found there were four whales in sight, not more than 
three-fourths of a mile distant. The mate, who was be- 
low, springing from his bed, said, " Steward, will you go 
in my boat ?" I replied I would. " Then," said he, 
" Stand by the boat." 

The boats being lowered, we started for the whales. 
The mate rushed among them, and fastened one ; the 
captain soon followed, and fastened another ; and at last, 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 117 

the second mate to another ! They all furnished 239 
bbls. of oil. This was a day of rejoicing for all hands, 
as we had not seen a whale before for more than five 
weeks. The mate, who had before been my enemy, now 
became my friend, and during the remainder of the voy- 
age treated me like a man. 

On our way to the Dutch Banks, whither the captain 
concluded to go, because of the abundance of whales 
there, we caught two, and fastened upon a third, which, 
however, got loose. When we arrived at the Banks, we 
found plenty of whales, and many vessels there for the 
purpose of taking them ; but which, in consequence of 
stormy weather, had hitherto been unsuccessful, and for 
the same reason we only took three. 

For about three weeks the storm raged most furiously, 
the wind became a hurricane, the waves rolled and dash- 
ed mountain high, sweeping our boats from their hang- 
ings, and dashing them in pieces ; while the sun was hid 
by dark and portentuous clouds. 

All hands looked upon the captain as their deliverer, 
while he stood looking at the clouds, seemingly with dep- 
recating vengeance. But it was the work of our God, 
whom the winds obey, and to whom the sea does homage. 
Well might the Scripture say, " He has his ways in the 
whirlwinds, and his paths are known to the mighty 
deep.'' He looks, and the fearfully threatening clouds 
hide their deformed faces ; He speaks, and the winds are 
hushed in profound silence; He commands, and the lofty 
billows lowly bow their heads. 

The storm being over, we sailed for St. Pauls, where 



118 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

■we took several whales ; but had two of our boats stove 
to pieces, in encounters with them. The Captain and 
first mate's boats were frequently injured in this way ; 
but the second mate generally kept in the background 
until the danger and bustle were passed. Here I again 
had time to reflect upon past blessings ; while calmness 
prevails, the mariner should prepare for a storm ; for the 
storm, which gathers slowly, accumulates more fury than 
a sudden, transient blast. 



" Whene'er becalmed I lie, 
And storms forbear to toss-; 
Be thou, dear Lord, still nigh, 
Lest I should suffer loss: 
For more the treacherous calm I dread, 
Than tempest, bursting overhead." 

Captain Luce was a good seaman and captain, and a 
man of reliable judgment. He would allow no swearing 
on board his vessel ; he looked upon the sailors as his 
children, and they in turn regarded him with affectionate 
esteem. The mate was a man of quick passions, easily 
excited, but as easily calmed. 

He one night entered the cabin, where I was, while I 
was singing one of the songs of Zion, and being in a mel- 
ancholy mood, he asked me to sing for him ; with which 
request I gladly complied, by commencing a new song, 
which I had recently learned in Philadelphia. He instantly 
stopped me, saying he did not wish to hear any new 
hymn, but some old and substantial one ; upon which I 
sang the following : 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. • 119 

" Before Jehovah's awful throne, 

Ye nations bow with sacred awe ; 
Know that the Lord is God alone : 
He can create and he destroy. 

« His sovereign power, without our aid, 

Made us of clay, and formed us men ; 
And wheny like wandering sheep, we strayed, 
He brought us to his fold again. 

Wide as the world is his command, 

Vast as eternity his love ; 
Firm as a rock his truth shall stand. 
When rolling years shall cease to move." 

"While I was singing, tears came into his eyes, and 
when I ceased, he exclaimed, " Oh ! steward, had I the 
religion which I think you have, I would not part with it 
for all the world ! " This was a very unexpected com- 
pliment to me, from a man in so high a station, and en- 
couraged me to pray on and hope continually. 

After the whaling season at St. Pauls was ended, we 
went to the Crowsett Island, where it was very cold, and 
where the fogs continued a long time, without intermis- 
sion. We had good success in whaling there, but the 
weather was so unfavorable, that the hands soon became 
disabled by scurvey, to that degree that we were obliged 
to put into port sooner than the captain had intended. 
So we sailed towards Madagascar, where one remarkable 
circumstance occurred. 

We had a sailor on board named Smith, who told me 
the reason for his coming on this voyage, was, that be- 
ing in company with some firemen, in Brooklyn, who had 
committed a crime in which he was implicated, he had 



120 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

adopted this as the best means of eluding the vigilance 
of the officers, who were in pursuit of him, and who had 
taken some of the company. 

I told him that he could not so easily escape from God, 
that the remembrance of his crime would still pursue 
him, and that unless he repented, he must expect severe 
punishment, both here and hereafter : to all which he 
only replied by laughing in my face. 

Soon after this conversation a whale was seen, and 
Smith belonged to one of the boats sent in pursuit. 
The animal was harpooned, but stove the boat, and broke 
loose. In the encounter, Smith came near losing his life. 
When they returned, I thought it a good time to again 
refresh his memory, in reference to his crime. While the 
fright lasted, he seemed somewhat penitent, but the feel- 
ing soon passed away, like the fleeting time. 

Not long after, a similar circumstance happened to him, 
which was as soon forgotten. But a repetition of them, 
made him afraid to go in the boat, so he excused himself 
to the captain, upon the plea that he had cut his finger 
and could not row ; whereupon the mate, to whose boat 
he belonged, gladly took me in his place ; when we, in a 
short time, captured four whales, with no accident. 

Just before we left this Island, another whale was seen, 
when the captain ordered Smith to go in his usual place, 
notwithstanding he attempted, as usual, to excuse himself, 
upon the ground of his inability to row : to all which the 
captain turned a deaf ear. They soon came up with the 
whale and harpooned him, when he stove the boat all in 
pieces, throwing the crew all into the sea, where they 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 121 

were struggling for their lives, by clinging to pieces of 
wreck or whatever else they could reach. The other 
boats at the time, were at a great distance from this 
scene, one of them being already fastened to another 
whale. 

Smith strove manfully to keep himself above water, 
until finding his strength failing, he made for a piece of 
the wreck, on which were already three persons, but 
which could not sustain a fourth; so those first in posses- 
sion of the frail support, thinking three lives of more 
consequence than one, as the only means of self-preser- 
vation, pushed Smith ofi* into the deep, and would not 
permit him to grasp their piece of wreck. 

The poor fellow was for a time quite at a loss what 
course to pursue, but time pressed, his strength was fast 
failing, and he must make some efibrt, even though he 
perish in the attempt, it could be no worse, since he must 
surely perish if he remained whore he was. The whale- 
was then lying quietly upon the water, near by. Quick 
as thought Smith conceived the hazardous plan of saving 
himself, by clinging to that enemy, which he had just 
been using all his power and skill to destroy, and as 
quickly grasped the line attached to the harpoon, which 
was still sticking in the whale, and by its help climbed 
upon his back, where, holding by the handle of the har- 
poon, he rested securely until a boat came and took him 
ofi" ! Then was the moment when Smith, in the agony, 
and from the depths of his heart, cried, " Lord save, or 
I perish ! '^ and Heaven heard the rebel's prayer, and 
held that mighty leviathan, and made him the means of 

11 



122 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

Ms persecutor's preservation I For as SQon as Smith was 
taken off his back, he went down and came up again a 
half mile distant. 

This terrible fright lasted Smith nearly two weeks, 
during which I again reminded him of his crime, and of 
his wanderings from the path of rectitude. I strove to make 
him realize how wonderfully the Lord had preserved his 
life, and how mercifully He had dealt with him ; to all 
which Smith replied, by promising that henceforth he 
would serve the Lord better. 

We reached Madagascar, which is an African island, 
and of immense dimensions I am told, about the first of 
May ; but I cannot give my readers a geographical de- 
scription of it, as I only went about five miles inland ; 
nor need I, for it might weary their patience, while to 
speak of some of the manners and customs of the inhab- 
itants, might mantle with blushes the cheek of morality. 
The soil is rich, producing in abundance rice, cotton, corn, 
sugar cane, kc. 

The natives are black, with long straight hair, slender 
forms, and remarkable for their longevity. They are 
cunning and much disposed to plunder. Their religion 
is Mahomedan, though they practice many Jewish rites, 
such as sacrifice and burnt offerings, for which purpose 
they raise many cattle. They consider the white man a 
superhuman being, who can hold converse with the 
Almighty, who will speak to him as He will not to them. 
One day they stood looking with amazement at the mate, 
as he was taking the sun's altitude with a quadrant. 
When he had finished his observations, he offered the in- 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 123 

strument to several of them, all of whom refused it, say- 
ing, God would not talk to them as he did to white 
men ! 

I was much gratified, upon conversing with them, to 
learn that the j had some faint knowledge of the true and 
living God, and believed Mahomet was oi^ly a mediator 
between God and man. A woman, who I least expected 
would possess any such knowledge, gave me to under- 
stand that she believed God dwelt above in the heavens, 
and that at some future time he would come to judge the 
world. 

Wednesday was my day to go on shore, and Thursday 
the cook's day. But being one day on shore, I learned 
that the following day was one devoted by the natives to 
sacrificial offerings, which I would not tell the cook, lest 
curiosity should prompt him to go to see them, and thus 
deprive me of a chance. So I paid him to stay and do 
my cabin work, and let me go on shore again that day. 

This ofiering vv^as to secure the blessing of their Hoker- 
barro, or God, on the king and his family. The sacrifice 
was performed in this manner : three poles, 15 or 20 
feet in length, with shorter ones lying across them, were 
placed three feet above the ground. When this was done, 
the sacrificial bullock was brought to look upon it, after 
which he was killed, his blood caught in a calabash, or 
gourd, for a separate offering, and his flesh cut in pieces 
and laid upon the poles, under which a fire was kindled, 
around which the natives danced, clapping their hands 
while it was burning, the whole performance being 
accompanied by numerous ceremonies. The sacrifice 



124 LIFE OF JOnN THOMPSON, 

ends with the sunset, but as my duty require^ my at- 
tendance on shipboard before that time, I did not witness 
its conclusion. 

We remained in Madagascar three weeks to repair the 
ship, which was damaged at sea. While lying in port 
four of the crew escaped, and were concealed on shore by 
the natives ; who afterwards came and betrayed them to 
the captain for a price. The mate, with a boat's crew of 
Portuguese, was sent for them, with whom they not only 
refused to return, but severely cut and bruised them. 
Afterwards the captain, with the captains of five other 
vessels, then lying in port, went for them, conducted by 
the natives, who knew their place of concealment, in a 
native hut. 

Wlien he discovered them, the captain calmly told 
them_he wished them to return with him to their duty 
on board the vessel, to which they readily gave their as- 
sent, saying they would have gone before had he sent 
Americans for them, but that they would not willingly 
submit to be fettered by Portuguese. 

When they reached the ship, they were placed in irons, 
and put upon criminal's allon'ance until the next morn- 
ing, when it was expected they would receive their de- 
served punishment. Our captain did not wish to flog 
them, as he thought he could inflict some other punish- 
ment which would prove more salutary and efficacious ; 
but, being pressingly urged by captain Burton, of the 
ship Sally Ann, and others, to do so, he finally flogged 
three of them, among whom was Smith ; while one, who 
was not concerned in resisting the Portuguese, was suf- 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 125 

fered to go without his flogging. But before we were 
ready to leave Madagascar, this very man again escaped 
from the vessel, by lying upon a plank and paddling him- 
self along with his hands, he hiving previously arranged 
with the crew of the ship to which he was going, to re- 
ceive him on board and conceal him, which they did, un- 
til she was ready to sail for New London, whither she 
was bound, loaded with oil. 



CHAP. XVIII. 

We cruised around the coast of Africa for whales, but 
finding none, put into the port of Johanna, where we 
again met the ship Sally Ann, captain Burton, who had 
the reputation of being a very cruel man. 

While lying in port, six or seven of his men, taking 
with them provisions, a compass, quadrant, chart, nauti- 
cal almanac, spy glass, and other useful implements of 
navigation, one morning before daylight, took a boat and 
made off, intending to go to Mohilla, one of the Comoro 
Islands, about ten miles from Johanna. But before they 
were out of sight, they were discovered from the ship. 

Now, there is a reef of rocks running about one and a 
half miles out to sea, from the port of Johanna, which 
are, at all times, very dangerous, in consequence of the 
heavy seas which are constantly breaking over them. 
When captain Burton discovered and gave chase to his 
deserting crew, they ran at once among these reefs, and 

11- 



126 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

tlms escaped, he not daring to follow them, but returning 
to his ship much fatigued and exasperated. 

It seemed that the Johannicans and Mohillans had been 
at war with each other, and consequently no intercourse 
was permitted between the islands. Captain Burton of- 
fered the Johanna king a large reward, if he w^ould catch 
his runaways, and deliver them up to him when he re- 
turned from a short cruise, which he was now oblif]:ed to 
make, and from which he should return in about three 
weeks. But the king, fearing to approach the shores of 
his enemy's island, only cruised about his own, and of 
course with no success ; so he finally gave up the search, 
and the ship was obliged to put out to sea without them, 
though the captain swore he would have them, if they 
went to hell I 

Five days afterwards they discovered a sperm whale, 
after which they immediately gave chase. He went down 
and finally came up .very near the captain's boat, when 
he gave orders to harpoon him, which the boatsteerer im- 
mediately did, and fastened him. The captain then went 
forward to lance him, when the whale struck him so vio- 
lent a blow with his tail, as to break both his le";s, with- 
out injuring another person. He was taken directly to 
Johanna, but there being no surgeon there, he was oblig- 
ed to remain in this painful situation, until an English 
vessel, having one on board, came into port. But by this 
time his limbs were so badly swollen, that one of them 
could not be properly set, so he was taken to Cape Town, 
from whence he was sent to America. Three of his run- 
away crew were taken on board a French vessel, nearly 



A FUaiTWE SLATE. 127 

in a state of starvation, while the rest actually perished. 

We lay in this port about a week. It is a very an- 
cient town, the houses of one story, mostly built of stone, 
and seldom having any windows. The inhabitants are 
Arabs, Malays and Africans. They are of a light brown 
complexion, and have regular features. Their religion is 
Mahomedan, the rites of which they scrupulously ob- 
serve. They are exceedingly jealous of their females, 
insomuch that they will not permit them to speak to any 
man, out of their own family circle. They wear sad 
countenances, but are very hospitable. They have large 
and splendidly decorated temples, the floors of which are 
covered with striped matting, of their own manufacture. 

One of the natives, Avho seemed a man of some in- 
fluence and high moral standing, one day invited me to 
visit, with him, one of these temples ; which invitation I 
gladly accepted. When we reached the door, my con- 
ductor stopped to speak to a person who I supposed was 
a priest, as he sat by a table on which lay a book and 
many papers, from which he was reading in a tuneful 
voice. A stone trough was standing beside the church. 

I bolted at once into the temple, without hesitation, 
but was as soon brought back and told that I had defiled 
it, in consequence of not purifying myself before enter- 
ing. The priest seemed very much offended, but led me 
to the trough, in which was a constantly changing supply 
of clean, fresh water, and bade me wash my hands and 
feet before entering. 

I was told that my sacrilegious entrance, unpurified, 
would oblige them to perform an extra sacrifice, by way 



128 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

of atonement. I regretted much that I had unwittingly 
been the cause of so much trouble, and thought an ac- 
knowledgment a sufficient sacrifice, but I was mistaken. 

After being properly prepared, I was allowed to enter 
and remain during their service. I was astonished at 
the reverence and humility with which they approached 
the throne of grace, for they fell flat upon their faces. 

Llany things might be said concerning the manners 
and customs prevalent on this Island, as also concerning 
its towns ; but my business is to describe my voyage ^to 
the Indian Ocean, to which I will now return. 

We left this Island, and sailed in the direction of New 
Zealand, near which we cruised five weeks, taking several 
whales in the time. Four other vessels were in company 
with us here, each of which went in for himself, taking 
whales. 

During one of our whaling adventures, I unwillingly 
consented to accompany the mate, at his request. I at- 
tributed most of the accidents to his carelessness ; not- 
withstanding, he was called a skillful whaleman, there- 
fore I did not like to go with him. He would rush to 
attack a whale, like a restless horse to battle, harpooning 
him without any regard to order or formality, lest some 
other boat should secure him first. We here took three 
whales in one week. 

We one day fell in with a ship from Sag Harbor, hav- 
ing on board the dead bodies of two men, the captain of 
which came on board the Milwood, one beautiful Sabbath 
morning, when the sea was as smooth as glass, to ask 
our captain and such of the crew as chose to accompany 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 129 

him, to go on board his ship and attend their funeral. 

I went and witnessed what is, probably, one of the 
most solemn and affecting of scenes, — a burial at sea. All 
who witnessed it were affected with sadness. When all 
was ready for the final ceremony, the bodies were taken 
to the waist gangway, where they were lashed upon 
boards, lying upon their backs, with heavy bags of sand 
attached to their feet, after which they were committed 
to the waves, and instantly sank into the vast deep. 
Captain Luce performed the religious services with great 
solemnity. 

After crusing in these seas about two months, we put 
into a harbor on New Zealand, where we stayed one 
week, and then went to New Holland for the cure of the 
scurvy, with which the sailors were badly afflicted, in 
consequence of having been so long exposed to an atmos- 
phere loaded with saline vapors, and of being so long fed 
upon salted food. Eating raw potatoes is considered by 
some an excellent remedy for this disease, which com- 
mences with an irruption of the skin, and ends in putre- 
faction, if not arrested in season to prevent. 

Another remedy, and one to which our sailors were 
subjected, is reckoned very good, namely : to bury the 
patient in the ground, all but his head, for a while. Af- 
ter the diseased ones had thus been cured, we cruised foi^ 
a long time with no success, and finally returned to the 
Crowsett Islands ; but even here were unsuccessful. 

We had now been at sea over two years, and had com- 
pleted our cargo, all save 50 bbls., when our captain de- 
cided to cruise towards home, keeping up a sharp look- 



130 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

out, until we were beyond the whaling ground. This 
decision filled me with joy, for I yearned to see my long 
unseen family. 

The captain said to me one day, when we had been 
sometime homeward bound, " Steward, I thought you 
promised us a full cargo to return with, which you see 
we have not got ; so I must think you a hypocrite I'^ I 
told him I still believed my prayers would be answered, 
and that we should yet have a full cargo. 

About two weeks after this, while the ship, with all her 
canvas spread, and with a fair wind, was running after 
the rate of nine knots an hour, the man aloft saw two 
whales in the distance. The captain had offered ten dol- 
lars for a whale that would furnish 50 bbls. of oil, and 
each man was desirous of winning the prize. Prepara- 
tions were soon made to give chase to the whales, who 
were still at a considerable distance from the ship. 

The mate's boat soon fastened one whale, but while 
the captain was striving to fasten the other, he stove the 
boat and tumbled the crew into the water. The mate's 
crew, however, after killing their whale, took after this, 
and finally secured him, while the second mate's boat 
picked up the almost despairing crew. The two whales 
filled 150 bbls. with oil, so that there was not place in 
the ship to stow it, without throwing over some of the 
provisions to make room. We then went into Soldonna 
for refreshment, and while there lost four of our crew 
by desertion. 

We next stopped at St. Helena, which renowned place 
I was very glad to see, and took occasion to visit the res- 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 1^1 

idenee and tomb of tl^ Emperor Napoleon. But I dis- 
covered nothing very remarkable at either place, there- 
fore will not weary my readers with unimportant descrip- 
tion. After one week's stay we left St. Helena for the 
American coast. 

About three days out from this island, we spoke a ship, 
recently from home, by which the captain learned that 
since he left home his wife had given birth to a son. 
This filled him with joy, and made him so anxious to 
reach home, that he ordered the mate to put the ship un- 
der all the sail which she would bear. 

The wind blew so furiously that it sometimes seemed 
as if the sails must all be carried away ; but like a gal- 
lant bark, the ship safely outrode the whole, and arrived 
at New Bedford. No pilot being in sight, we had to fire 
twenty rounds from the cannon as a signal, before we 
could raise one. At last, however, to our great joy, a pi- 
lot boat hove in sight, dancing over the waves, when 
shouts were heard, " 0, sir, we shall soon get into har- 
bor !'' Then the joyful hymn was sung : — 

" By faith I see the land, 

The port of endless rest ; 
My soul, each sail expand, 

And fly to Jesus' breast. 
Oh I may I gain that heavenly shore, 
Where winds and waves disturb no more." 

But our singing was soon turned into sighing, our joy 
into sadness, for our pilot, being unacquainted with the 
New Bedford channel, could only take us in sight of the 
city, where we were left nearly two days to brood over 
our bitter disappointment. 



132 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON. 

How often do professed ministers of the Christian 
Church pretend to lead the anxious soul to the haven of 
eternal rest, when they are themselves ignorant of the 
way, and of course leave him in the gulf of despair to 
mourn his sad disappointment. But the right pilot came 
at last and took us into New Bedford, and Oh, what joy 
filled my soul, when I was once more permitted to enter 
the congregation of the righteous, and to hear the sound of 
the Gospel Trumpet. 

But my bliss was not complete, for I had a family in 
Philadelphia, whom I must hasten to see, that they might 
participate in my joy, ajid unite with me in praises to 
God for my safe preservation through so long a voyage ; 
so, as soon as I received my wages, I left New Bedford. 
Before I left, the captain and mate both called to see me, 
the former giving me ten, and the latter five dollars, tell- 
ing me to live faithful until death, and asking me to pray 
for them, which I promised to do, then bade them fare- 
well, and left for Philadelphia. 



CHAP. XIX. 



While at sea and learning the uses of the various 
nautical instruments, I also studied their spiritual appli- 
cation, for nothing else so much resembles the passage of 
a Christian from earth to glory, as a gallant ship under 
full sail for some distant port. The parallel between 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 133 

ships and souls, of course does not extend to their original 
structure or nature, since one is mere inert matter, fash- 
ioned by human skill, visible and perishable ; while the oth- 
er is immortal, invisible, and the direct handiwork of God. 

Simplicity of nature must ever insure immortality 
under a government where the annihilation of created be- 
ings is impossible. Yet numerous are the circumstances 
in which the parallel will hold, and where the propriety 
of the metaphor is apparent. Let us contemplate some 
few of these for a moment, for time would fail us to re- 
view the curious machine in all its parts, and speak of 
its accommodating and beautiful comparison with the fac- 
ulties of a rational soul ; or to the grace of one regener- 
ated and sanctified by the spirit of God. 

Pleasant and entertaining as it might be, to consider 
how this metaphorical ship uses conscience for its helm^ 
the understanding for its rudder, judgment and reason 
for its masts, its affections for sails ; how education 
stands in the place of carving and gilding ; how the pas- 
sions represent too full sails, thus producing danger from 
foundering ; how pride represents the too taut rigging ; 
how assumed professions represent deceptive and ruinous 
false colors ; yet, we must necessarily waive all such con- 
siderations. 

Still, we must pause to admire the excellence of the 
model of this work of God, as much the highest of all 
this lower creation, as a ship is superior to every other 
work of human art. Nor can any words sufficiently de- 
plore that misfortune by which, on its first being launch- 
ed upon the ocean of life, this noble vessel was dashed 

12 



134 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

on the rocks of presumption, and thus, in an unlucky 
moment, condemned and cast away utterly unfit for ser- 
vice. 

How poor a pilot is man, even with his highest know- 
ledge and ability, and how unfit to take his soul into his 
own keeping. And how magnanimous the grace of the 
generous Owner, who, instead of destroying that insignifi- 
cant wreck, as might have been expected, was pleased to 
repair the ruins ; notwithstanding he was well aware it 
would be a work of more difficulty and labor, than to 
construct an entirely new one, which could have been 
done by a word ; while to restore the old wreck, would 
cost the greatest treasure in heaven, the life of the great 
owner and builder's only begotten and well beloved son ! 
Oh, amazing love ! that could so highly value things so 
worthless ; things only fitted to be cast into the den of 
wild and furious beasts, or the dreary abode of unclean 
birds ! 

From the Omnipotent Power and Infinite Skill of the 
divine undertaker of the work, as well as the invaluable 
price given to defray the expenses, reason would imme- 
diately conclude, that in rebuilding this moral and spir- 
itual structure, which was shipwrecked in Adam, but re- 
deemed in Christ, no pains would be spared, nor anything 
omitted, which would be necessary to complete the work 
on which Jehovah's heart was set, and to make the sec- 
ond structure more glorious than the first. 

Nor was the conclusion unfounded, for every material 
■was purchased by the blood of the Son of God, and laid 
in bountifully by the gracious owner. Every piece is 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 135 

hewn by the law in the work of conviction ; every facul- 
ty purged from sin and guilt by the great atonement, re- 
ceived by faith in Christ Jesus ; every plank bent by the 
fire of divine love, all fitted to their places by the invinci- 
ble energy of sovereign grace, and the structure is com- 
pleted according to the model prepared in the council of 
peace, and published in the gospel, which divine illumi- 
nation is made visible to the mental eye, through which 
it is received into the heart, and leaves its impress there. 
Destined for a voyage of vast importance, in seas be- 
set with dangers and perils, this new vessel will find 
nothing more needful than a strong and sound bottom. 

If faith is not genuine and enduring ; if those princi- 
ples typified by the planks and timbers of a ship, be rot- 
ten or unsound at heart, not consistent with each other, 
and not shaped so as to lie compactly ; or if each is not 
well secured by bolts of the endurable metal of eternal 
truth from the mine of divine revelation ; if all is not care- 
fully caulked with the powerful cement of unfailing love 
and redeeming blood ; in a word, if Christ is not the sole 
foundation, and his righteousness the grand security, 
then on the slightest trial, the scams open, the vessel 
bilges, and every soul on board is lost. 

From the hour of active conversion, the redeemed soul 
is launched upon the deep, and moves in a new element. 
As she proceeds onward, and greater depths surround 
her, the amazing wonders of divine counsel appear more 
manifest, which had hitherto been unknown and un- 
fathomed by any human line ; the latent corruptions 
within its own recesses appear more terrible as farther 



136 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

explored, and every new glimpse still more affriglits and 
humbles ; while the mysterious and inexplicable depths 
of divine Providence, with its mercies, judgments, and 
deliverances also rise to view. 

She floats on an ocean of trouble, where temptations 
inflame the appetite, and weaken good resolutions, as 
worms pierce through and destroy the bottom of a vessel. 
Trials follow each other, as wave succeeds wave ; nor 
should we feel ourselves alone, nor more sorely tempted 
than others, in this, since it is the experience of every 
one who floats upon life's ocean billows. When our sor- 
rows are mitigated, our thankfulness should increase ; 
and when the clouds of grief become thicker and darker, 
it should wean us more effectually from earthly things, 
and kindle within us a more ardent desire for heavenly 
things. 

Nor should the Christian repine at his afilictions, for 
he (fould not well do without them, since no means is 
more effectual to weaken the force of inate sin, or to wean 
him from his earthly idols, even as the heat of a furnace 
keeps the seething metal in commotion, while it separates 
and drives off" the dross ; or the unceasing rolling of the 
restless ocean, which, I am told serves to keep its waters 
pure. In contemplating the fickleness of this uncertain 
world, let us not fail to draw instruction therefrom. 

Bound, as she is, to take a voyage on this restless, 
troubled ocean, the spiritual ship must not only be fur- 
nished with rigging suited to such a bottom as I have 
described, but she must also be provided with all neces- 
sary nautical instruments before she can safely put to 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 137 

sea ; and oh, how carefully has her gracious owner been, 
that all her wants should be supplied. 

An invariable and unfailing compass is furnished by 
the Sacred Scriptures, whose direction may be safely fol- 
lowed in the darkest night. The divine illumination will 
serve as a quadrant by which the Christian may discov- 
er his own latitude, and his position in regard to the path 
of rectitude and duty ; but in vain will the most experi- 
enced seaman attempt to do this, unless his sun shines, 
and his horizon is clear. 

How often, by persuading men to neglect the use of 
this quadrant, and thereby lose their true situation, has 
satan decoyed men to accept his pilotage, and trust to 
his skill, until he had led them clear out of the right 
course, to the very mouth of the gulf of despondency, 
among rocks and quicksands on all sides. 

Through the spy glass of faith, the Christian may 
discover his faithful starry guides, although the heavens 
be shrouded in clouds ; or may descry the approaching 
enemy, and avoid him ; or may discover the far off haven 
of security. In the same manner self-examination may 
supply to the believing soul a line and lead, whereby to 
sound the waters, discover the way, and learn his dis- 
tance, both from the port of departure and that to which 
he is bound. 

A longing to arrive at a blessed end of the voyage, 
serves as an hour glass, by which he may mark the swift- 
ly passing hours, and so reckon his time, that he may be 
able to give a correct account of it to the great ship own- 
er ; especially as he is sensible that not one hour can 

12* 



138 LITE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

pass unremarked. This glass also admonishes him to set 
the watch at the exact minute, lest the steersman sleep 
at his helm, the hands slacken their diligence in duty, 
the vessel lose its way, or storms or enemies come una- 
wares and find it unprepared. Precious moments, how 
swiftly they fly, every wave of the wing hastening us on- 
ward to eternity. Oh, that Christians would more care- 
fully note their falling sands, and renew their watch 
more frequently. Failing to do this, caused David's pen- 
itential agony, and Peter's bitter tears of anguish. 

To often try the pump is no less necessary than to 
change the watch, for which purpose is given sincere re- 
pentance, such as sinks to the bottom of the heart, search- 
es out every lust and evil desire, brings it to the surface, 
and casts it out, as does the pump-rod the stagnant blige- 
water, which, if allowed to remain, would finally sink the 
vessel. 

On the ocean of life, where we are constantly meeting 
vessels, steering in every possible direction, would that 
Christians would show the same courtesy and kindness 
to each other, that seamen of every nation and under all 
colors, do. Then, with what true interest would they 
hail each other, with what courtesy answer when asked 
where they were bound, and with what good wishes send 
them on their way to their place of destination. With 
what truthfulness would they give an account of their 
voyage, of their adventures, of their cargo, and also of 
their reasons for the hope that is within them, with fear 
and meekness ; so that believers might in this way be- 
come comforters, helpers, and directors to each other. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 139 

And that thej miglit be thorouglily furnished for so 
good a work, their gracious owner has put on board a 
silver trumpet, whose sound is never false nor unreliable. 
I mean the Gospel, which brings glad tidings to all with- 
in sound of its voice, and speaks in a language which 
people of all nations can understand. In this language 
all may converse together, however much they may differ 
in other things ; and all imbued with its spirit will glad- 
ly bear each other company, and hold communion togeth- 
er, in so far as time and circumstances will allow. 

Defensive arms, also, are necessary for the safety of 
the voyage, and accordingly, see how completely the 
thoughtful owner has equipped the ship at his own ex- 
pense. A full inventory of the armory may be found 
recorded in Ephsians, 6: 14 — 18. 

But all else would fail were a cable and anchor want- 
ing, both which are supplied, the one by hope, the other 
by faith. Thus completed and supplied with every 
necessary, the good ship takes in her lading. The vari- 
ous gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost, together with 
the hopes and comforts arising from their exercise ; the 
bracelets, the signets, and stuffs, the evidences and man- 
ifestations of the divine favor ; goodly pearls selected 
from the treasury of unsearchable riches in Christ Jesus,, 
all the special furniture, privileges, enjoyments, and ex- 
periences of the true believer, purchased for him by the 
blood of his dying Redeemer, are now put on board by 
orders of the Spirit of Sanctification : while, at the same 
time, every needful store is furnished by the precious 
promises and glorious truths of the gospel, of which a 



140 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

spirit of faith and prayer keeps the key, from whence 
the believer may daily draw and drink of the waters of 
Life ; and upon which he may fare sumptuously every 
day. 

Bound for the port of endless rest, the soul thus equip- 
ped receives sailing orders from the inspired oracles, 
which, at the same time, commands her to forsake all, to 
deny herself, to take up the cross, and to follow the Lamb 
whithersoever he goeth. If sincerely desirous to pro- 
ceed, she will be very careful to have all things in readi- 
ness, and all hands in waiting for a favorable wind, with- 
out which the truest helm or the ablest steersman will be 
of no avail. Oh, Christian friends, were we but as earn- 
est for the port of glory, as the mariner is for some 
earthly port, we should not often be found loitering or off 
our duty. Our prayers would ascend with every breath, 
that the heavenly gale would spring up, and awake the 
church from her lethargic slumbers. 

How carefully then should we accompany our prayers 
with watching, heedfully marking every changeful ap- 
pearance of the sky. How eagerly should we seize the 
first favorable moment, when the long wished for oppor- 
tunity of sailing was in our power. Eager for departure, 
we would not willingly lose one fair breeze, knowing that 
without this all previous preparations were fruitless. Nor 
must the fairest gale entice us to sea without the heaven- 
ly pilot ; for without thee, blessed Jesus, we can do noth- 
ing ; to thee we must turn in every difficulty, and upon 
thee call in every time of danger. We dare trust no 
other at the helm, because no other can safely steer us 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 141 

past the rocks and quicksands. How kind thy promise, 
to be with us when passing through deep and dangerous 
waters. How gracious thy word which engages never to 
leave nor forsake us. We will confidently leave our fee- 
ble vessel entirely to thy guiding care, to shape its course 
and direct its way ; nor will we dread the greatest dan- 
ger, with thy hand upon the helm, believing no hidden 
rock can escape thy penetrating eye, nor any storm or 
danger surpass thy skill, or counteract thy unbounded 
power. 

The hour arrives, all is in readiness, the pilot gives 
the signal, the anchor is weighed, and with all sails set, 
our bark proceeds to sea. What more majestic sight 
than a gallant ship, under full sail, wafted by a fair gale, 
proudly cutting her way through the vast deep ? And 
so of the Holy Ghost, spreading every sail, that the kind- 
ly gales of the spirit of all grace, may waft it safe to the 
heavenly port, while the beams of the sun of Righteous- 
ness gild and i)righten the scene. 

Such halcyon days are sometimes vouchsafed to the 
young convert, just starting on lifers new voyage. Oh, 
how should he improve them while within his reach, by 
preparing for the coming change ! But alas ! the treach- 
ery of the heart sometimes perverts such favors into oc- 
casions of spiritual pride. Then may be seen displayed 
the colors of mere profession ; the streamers of confi- 
dence flying ; the top gallant sails of self-conceit hoist- 
ed ; the haughty royals set, and the vessel of self-right- 
eousness mounted loftily on the waves. 

Alas ! how many have been thus wrecked in a vain- 



142 LIFE OF JOHN THOMPSON, 

glorious moment ; and life has paid the forfeit of snch 
insolence of heart, disdaining to proportion the sail to the 
ballast. Such an abuse of mercy could not escape the 
all-penetrating eye. The golden season suddenly expires, 
and is succeeded by a dead calm. The poor self-admirer 
lays his head in the lap of some bewitching Delilah, who 
lulls him to sleep with her siren songs. 

Now all the Christian graces lie dormant ; all pre- 
cepts, ordinances and means are lost on a person so faci- 
nated ; while the rolling billows serve only to rock him 
into a deeper sleep. With no guide at the helm, such a 
ship gains nothing in her course. Could conscience only 
gain a hearing, all hands would quickly be roused to pre- 
pare for the coming storm ; the leisure of the threaten- 
ing calm would not be consumed in slothfulness. 

Instead of inactivity and delay, when dangers threat- 
en, the real, active believer is on the alert. While be- 
calmed, he is examining his stores and cargo, patching 
his sails, and splicing his rigging. Spy glass in hand, 
he is searching for a clear coast. His journal is revised 
and his reckoning adjusted, his quadrant applied and his 
observations compared. Did we but judiciously employ 
the hour of tranquility, we should have little to fear from 
tempests. 

But while all hands are negligently folded in security, 
and thoughtlessness fills the dreams of all, the change 
comes, contrary winds arise, obstacles spring up, difficul- 
ties beset the way, and all where least expected. Now 
we are forced by adversity to lower those sails, which, in 
the season of sunshine we hoisted, just to gain applause. 



A FUGITIVE SLAVE. 143 

Like Babylon, which, in its pride, vainly exalted itself, 
and was finally humbled. Dan. 5 : 20. Ob. 1 : 3. 

But notwithstanding adverse winds may blow, the 
faithful mariner will not haul in all sail, and lash the 
helm, thus leaving his vessel to the sport of fate. On 
the contrary, he will lose no chance of taking advantage 
of every fair breeze, to do which he will trim his sails to 
the wind, laying his course as near as possible, even 
though he cannot lay it direct. With the Bible in his 
hand for his compass, he steers his way, going not to the 
conclaves of councils, nor to the decrees of earthly po- 
tentates for his creed or the rule of his duty. 

Disdaining to be the slave of popularity, he will neith- 
er embrace opinions because of their fashionableness, nor 
trim his principles to suit the times, nor yet follow the 
multitude to do evil. By experience he is taught to 
trust no mere professions, but like the panting slave flee- 
ing from the bondman's chains and dungeon, he is sus- 
picious of even a brother fugitive, who says he is travel- 
ling the same road, lest he should be betrayed. For 
freedom, like eternal life, is precious, and a true man 
will risk every power of body or mind to escape the 
snares of satan, and secure an everlasting rest at the 
right hand of God. 



THE END. 



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